Epic trek for charity 'priceless'

Sione Paea is pleased to have completed his challenge to run and cycle the length of the country. Photo / File

Sione Paea has finished his 30-day cycle and run from the top to the bottom of the country to raise money for child cancer.

The 19-year-old Rotorua man was proud to have finished the challenge, and said he had learned a lot about himself.

"I finished on Sunday, and I felt amazing; it was a priceless moment.

"I got emotional, and there was plenty of joy. It has been like 30 days on the road, with lots of challenges, physical, mental and emotional challenges. You have no one to turn to on the road," he said.

Mr Paea has raised $3000 for the Child Cancer Foundation, short of his $10,000 goal, but he hopes people who said they would donate when he finished the challenge would honour their promises.

He is due back in Rotorua today, where he said he would get a haircut and have a shave, and then focus on his extramural sport science degree and becoming a fitness model.

The things he learnt would stay with him forever, he said.

"I have found I really am limitless. I have found the purpose to my life, and I know where I am going with my future."

Mr Paea said he never lost faith that he would finish, but some days were more of a challenge than others.

"The last three days were probably the toughest. I had had a lot of head wind and I was really tired. I was up in Gore when my bike got blown over, it was all uphill and I was going against the wind."

Beautiful scenery and speaking at schools were highlights of the trip.

"Going through Queenstown, past Lake Tekapo it was stunning. Mt Cook was in the background. I spoke at a few schools along the way and encouraged the kids to achieve their dreams."

To support Sione and donate to the Child Cancer Foundation visit everydayhero.co.nz and search "Sione Paea".