Travelling light
- the only way to go for duo
Pilot Officer Sam McKeogh and CPL Lydia Savage practise for the Accor $10 Queenstown Challenge.
By Maike van der Heide
Courtesy of the Marlborough Express
So far they’re keeping their strategies to themselves, but for two air force members who have to get from Auckland to Queenstown on just $10, one thing is clear: They’re not allowed to fly.
Pilot Officer Sam McKeogh and Corporal Lydia Savage of Blenheim are one of three New Zealand Defence Force teams taking part in the Accor $10 Queenstown Challenge from October 1 to 3 to raise money for Cure Kids.
Thirty-five teams have to make their way from Auckland to Queenstown with just $10 to spend.
They have to use whatever transport they can get to do it. Whatever team has the most points from challenges completed along the way will win.
All teams have to raise $7000 before starting the race. The money will be used for medical research into life-threatening conditions that affect children.
Ms Savage and Mr McKeogh said they decided to take on the challenge because it was a good way to have fun for a worthy cause.
With a five-year-old son of her own, Ms Savage said an article she read about the charity and the children with illnesses “pulled my heart strings”.
She said she was really excited about meeting all the other teams, supporters and anyone else they might see on their way down the country.
The pair were not giving away any strategies for travelling south in three days, but reckoned they would probably have to rely heavily on their hitchhiking skills.
They would have a day to get to Wellington to catch the ferry and then two days to reach Queenstown.
Competitors were not allowed to plan anything ahead of time and unfortunately could not call on their colleagues for a lift in an aircraft, Mr McKeogh said.
The air force team have raised about half the $7000 for Cure Kids by asking around Base Woodbourne for donations and holding an air force-wide mufti day.
To donate to the air force team, please visit their website: www.fundraiseonline.co.nz/teamairforcestepsup.