Cairns starts rail walk

Former cricket star Chris Cairns has started his walk throughout New Zealand to raise funds and awareness for rail safety.

The allrounder hit the road yesterday, walking the 21km from Pukekohe to Pokeno in about three hours, on the first leg of his 1001 km journey to Rolleston in the South Island.

Chris Cairns Foundation charity manager Patrick Jackson said Cairns would average about 28km a day on his hike, which would finish by September 21.

- AGENCIES