This page is dedicated for my work colleagues daughter Zoe, who was born with a rare congenital condition called Arteriovenous malformation (AVM) Doctors and Zoe’s family were unaware of the condition until last July when a sudden bleed from the AVM caused Zoe to have a stroke.

She was rushed to Starship hospital where she underwent brain surgery and remained in a coma for 2 weeks. Neuro surgeons removed the AVM in one of her four life saving operations while in Starship for 5 1/2 weeks. Zoe was left with paralysis of her right side and impaired speech. Zoe and her family, who live in Glenbrook then moved to the Wilson Centre in Takapuna for 7 1/2 months for an intense rehabilitation programme.

Zoe has had to learn to eat, talk, start to get up on her feet and try to regain the use of her right arm and hand. Zoe requires help in all everyday tasks i.e. dressing, sitting, rolling etc. As she is only young there is a fair chance of recovery as much of the function in the brain is still mapping and connecting.

To give Zoe every possibility of this, it takes an amazing amount of physio and other specialised activities i.e. riding for disabled, swimming lessons etc. This also needs to go on at an extensive pace for the next 5 years and most probably for the rest of her life.

My name is Paul Becker and I am a member of the Akld Mtb club. I will be riding the 1100km Kiwi Brevet, 4 - 12 Feb 2012, aiming to raise some funds for Zoe continual recovery.

This is an actual event called the Kiwi Brevet and you are not allowed any outside organised help.
Rider’s progress can be watched live on the website as everyone carries gps tracker. The event starts in Blenheim and heads south as far as Sheffield, heading over Arthurs Pass to Reefton, St Arnaud, Nelson, Picton and finishing back in Blenheim. Terrain covered is a mix of back country gravel roads, forest sections and some highways to link it all together.

My bike will be equipped with front and rear racks, loaded with enough gear to survive 8 days, tent, sleeping bag and mat, 1 change of clothes and enough food / water for each day. This will be replenished as I pass through the towns, hopefully they are still open when I pass through.

So if you are keen to help Zoe and sponser me .01c per km a total of $11.00 or whatever you like, it would be much appreciated by Zoe and her parents.

If you could please send your pledge via email to heck12@xtra.co.nz, (my email address) we will keep a register and send you Zoe's bank account details to deposit the money into after the event.


On behalf of Zoe thanks for your support.

Paul

Monday, 6 February 2012

and he's off...

Mr Becker Jrn here. I have taken over the show while Paul is peddling around the South Island.

Air New Zealand couldn't fit his bike on his flight, so it had to be sent later that day. Cheers Mr Fyfe, slick company you have there.

But it wasn't all bad, as the bike arrived and Day 1 began.

At the Start


A brutal day at that, as I sit here with a cup of tea laughing at the Elevation charts.

We have been glued to the Computer watching a little arrow bouncing around. It is very addictive and Mum hasn't moved from the Computer seat much at all. A long 7 days ahead for all :)

Well Day 1 complete and we heard from Mr Becker. His voice was the sound of a slog was had. But upbeat and giving nothing away. We find out later that it was dang hot and he had a wee lie down under a tree. He was not alone as a few riders had spells of the nasty heat stroke.

Keeping it nice n steady on the metal


View of half of the Beast

Day 2 saw a tough start to the day, with Pauls breakfast, Baked Beans being returned back out of the place they entered. Yep. Not sure what he had eaten, but there has been a rumour that it was the Indian Rice.

Few kgs lighter Mr B heads off for another day. Today should not be as tough as yesterday, though after this mornings efforts it may be.
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