Newspaper Article 2007 – Gutsy pensioner plans 78 laps for charity

Gutsy pensioner plans 78 laps for charity

LAWRENCE GULLERY

Brian Steele wants cool weather tomorrow when he marks his 78th birthday by walking 78 laps of Nelson Park.

The Hastings man, a former All Black, has planned the walk to help raise money for his team which is also walking in the Hawke’s Bay Cancer Society’s 24-hour Relay For Life, which will be held in Taradale on February 24 and 25.

Mr Steele’s walk at Nelson Park will begin at 6am and he reckons it will take up to seven hours to complete.

“If it’s hot I will have to take it easy,” Mr Steele said.

The regular training at Nelson Park and on walking tracks near Te Mata Peak will have him in tip-top shape for Thursday’s challenge.

And he won’t be alone, a few friends have offered to walk a few laps with him during the day. The public is also invited to join him on the walk and donate a gold coin to the cancer society.

Mr Steele’s not sure how much money the walk could raise but in previous challenges he raised about $700 when he ran 60 laps, to mark his 60th birthday.

His best effort was on his 76th birthday when he completed 76 laps of Nelson Park and with his support team raised $11,000 for the Tsunami Appeal.

Mr Steele said his wife, Margaret, doesn’t mind him “doing these crazy things” and over the past 30 years he has clocked hundreds of miles on Nelson Park and raised hundreds of dollars for charities.

“I’ve had a new knee and hips (through replacement operations). I’ve also had bowel cancer which they’ve cut out of me.

“I may not be 100 percent, but I feel brand new,” Mr Steele said.

Photo caption – GOING STRONG: Brian Steele, of Hastings, walks around the athletics track at Nelson park, Hastings.
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