Great Wall trek for great cause

Otago Daily Times

2 days ago

A Timaru early childhood teacher is preparing to tackle one of the wonders of the world in an effort to raise funds for children in need.
In October, North Haven's Tracey Layt will be adventuring abroad with a group of Barnardos Aotearoa supporters to walk a 38.5km section of the Great Wall of China, as part of the organisation's Brighter Futures Challenge.
The challenge serves as a fundraiser to help keep Barnardos' 0800 What's Up helpline running.
The service, which supports more than 12,000 children and young people aged 5–19 yearly, has been running for the past 23 years, and on top of government funding requires an additional $500,000 a year to operate.
Miss Layt said she had been a long-time supporter of Barnardos and could not pass up the opportunity of taking part in the challenge.
"It combines all my loves together, which is travel, trying new experiences, children, raising money to support worthy causes and hiking.
"I'm also doing it in memory of my dad; he had a shared passion for children and their wellbeing, and seeing them thrive. After he retired from the Salvation Army he worked for Timaru Child, Youth and Family.
"Before he got sick we had daydreamed about walking part of the Great Wall of China together for my 50th birthday. So, when the opportunity came up to join the Brighter Futures Challenge, I thought it would be a cool thing to do to also commemorate the fifth anniversary of his passing."
She was aiming to raise $3500 as part of the fundraiser.
"I've got $1600 now — so far I've had a very successful bake sale, my workmate ran a garage sale for me, and we've had a dress-up pirate princess day [at North Haven].
"I've got a whānau movie and board game night coming up at the Salvation Army next month, a photo session in September and hopefully a silent auction if I can get some donations and stuff.
"$3500 is the goal, but hopefully I can raise way beyond that."
She also had a Barnardos T-shirt, and on the back she was going to put the names of everyone who had supported her "so that they're walking with me as I'm doing it".
Growing up as a Salvation Army officer's child gave her a pretty unique outlook on life, she said.
"It made me aware of social injustice and hardship from a very early age, especially when I was a missionary child in South Africa in the middle of apartheid.
"I realised very early that not everyone had a warm home, enough food and clothing or even freedom.
"Growing up my parents always instilled in me that no matter what, there is always someone worse off than you, and you should help when you can.
"I've tried to live by this ethos my entire life."
Having been an early childhood teacher for 29 years, she said improving child wellbeing was one of her biggest passions..
"I believe all children should have the right to thrive, regardless of circumstances or abilities, and they need support for that to happen.
"Children have to deal with a lot nowadays. I was bullied at school, but the bullying stopped at the school gate, whereas now with social media and all that, it is 24/7.
"When I returned from South Africa, I had a lot to process, because I'd seen things and heard things that no 10-year-old child should ever have had to deal with. Having a helpline would have been very helpful for me to have processed things.
"I want to do what I can to make sure all children have access to a listening ear and somewhere they feel safe, by keeping this vital service operating."
Outside of teaching, Miss Layt helps to run the children's programme at the Timaru Salvation Army, and has also done volunteer teaching in Tanzania and Tonga.
She also runs a hobby venture, making handmade cards, gifts and personalised items, with the money raised going to support the children at the special needs school she taught at in Tanzania and a kindergarten in Tonga.
Anyone wishing to donate can do so by visiting her profile at barnardos-aotearoa.grassrootz.com or by emailing [e-mail].
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