A trio of Tauranga teenagers who’ve been trekking across the North Island by foot, paddle and cycle since late November have finally finished their 800km journey for Child Cancer Foundation.

The three school leavers, Olly Dow, 17, Thomas Winter, 17, and William Dunn, 18, completed their ambitious 800km challenge across the width of New Zealand at Cape Egmont on Saturday, December 7.

The teenagers set off from the East Cape on November 20 and travelled by foot, bike and kayak while their Givealittle page racked up donations for a cause they hold dear.

Olly came up with the idea at the beginning of 2024, exploring many different routes before settling on a plan in early February. Friends Thomas and William (Will) joined in early March.

Olly felt Cape to Cape was a great example of pushing the limit.

“It’s like a personal challenge most of the time seeing what you’re capable of with these endurance types of events,” he said.

The Tauranga trio of Olly Dow, Thomas Winter and William Dunn completed their ambitious 800km challenge from East Cape to Cape Egmont.

The trio started at the East Cape Lighthouse, cycling on State Highway 35 around East Cape to Ōpōtiki before heading south into the wilderness of Te Urewera.

They then followed the Whakatāne River upstream, then crossed over into Whirinaki Forest, where they made their way south towards the top of the Kaimanawa Range, stopping in Cascade Hut before crossing over Umukarikari Range via Waipakahi Hut.

The team also walked the Tongariro Crossing with supporters before cycling west through to Whakahoro, then paddling the Whanganui to the Matematonga Track before heading west on foot.

The Tauranga trio of Olly Dow, Thomas Winter and William Dunn completed their ambitious 800km challenge from East Cape to Cape Egmont. Pictured is Olly Dow.

On the second to last day of the journey the three cycled up to East Egmont before a summit mission on Mt Taranaki before retracing their steps and picking up the bikes for a short ride through to the final stop. Then on Saturday it was back on bikes to cycle from Kaponga to the endpoint at Cape Egmont Lighthouse.

The boys have kept family and followers up to date with their travels and travails via a dedicated website.

The trio is passionate about publicising the devastation and demands of childhood cancer, and the need to raise funds to help ease the burden on children going through treatment, as well as the families who care for them.

Pictured is Will Dunn.

A few days out from completion Thomas, Will and Olly were nearly at half their $50k fundraising goal.

After the Whanganui River leg and the Tongariro Crossing, Olly’s mum, Lou, let the foundation know how the boys were doing, saying they “had great support with friends” during both of these sections.

“They are in good spirits and buzzed about the amount of continued donations that continue to roll in,” she wrote.

Child Cancer Foundation chief executive Monica Briggs said the foundation was inspired and tremendously grateful to Thomas, Willy and Olly, and all who had contributed on their adventure.

The Tauranga trio of Olly Dow, Thomas Winter and William Dunn completed their ambitious 800km challenge from East Cape to Cape Egmont.

“With no government funding, we need to raise $6 million each year to wrap one-to-one practical, financial and emotional support around each Kiwi family facing childhood cancer,” she said. “It’s the most challenging time in a family’s life, and these three brave and adventurous boys are going above and beyond to make a life-changing difference for them.”

Meanwhile, the boys are still hoping to inch closer to their $50k goal. Donations can be made at their Givealittle page.

-Bay of Plenty Times