Long walk for cancer survivor

Anton Kuraia summits the Brynderwyn Hills on day two of his 31-day, 809km walk. Photo / Michael Cunningham

Whangarei cancer survivor Anton Kuraia was humbled by the number of walkers who joined him on the first leg of his 809km journey to Wellington.

The police constable stepped out in his bright blue-coloured running shoes and red kilt on Sunday from Whangarei police station with about 300 supporters in tow.

Read the beginning of Anton's journey here.

Anton's Walk of Hope aims to raise funds for The 809 Foundation, which wants to subsidise high-dose intravenous vitamin C to extend care and improve quality of life for cancer sufferers. It also wants to help make natural alternative options affordable for people with cancer.

The Whangarei to Waipu leg was 34km and the longest of the planned 31-day journey. Mr Kuraia said it was awesome to see so many people.

"It made me realise we are on to something pretty serious right now. We don't have all the answers but we are letting people know about the alternatives."

He admits before Sunday he was worried there would only be 10-20 people walking with him - but 60 completed the leg to Waipu golf course.

Mr Kuraia said it was a special moment being piped into the golf clubrooms. "I stopped and shook the hands of everyone. There wasn't a lot of talking but there were plenty of smiles."

He was back on the road yesterday, walking from Waipu to Kaiwaka. It was a slow walk up the Brynderwyns but he managed to run down the southern side, thanks to a police escort.

"I've got a blister, my feet were aching this morning and I have heat rashes," Mr Kuraia said. "But I got out of bed and I'm walking again."

Today he will make his way from Kaiwaka to Sheep World on SH1 near Warkworth, a 32km stretch.

-For more check out www.the809foundation.org.nz