Oxfam Trailwalker 2007

Location: Taupo
Date: 13/04/07 and 14/04/07
Supervisor: Erin Elisabeth of Oxfam NZ / Sonal Parikh-Medhora of Oxfam NZ

~Hours gained~
Action: 30
Service: 30

13/04/07
Taupo was surprisingly cold, the first day we were using the Oxfam online registration computer services in the hall, registering the teams for the Trailwalker which started the next morning. It was great to be able to learn how to work on these systems and talking to all the different people- some of which had travelled from different parts of the world to be there- and getting to know the participants and their causes (for which they were raising money, by completing the trailwalker). We were there from around 4pm (when the registration started) till 7pm (we had to leave earlier because we were younger than the other volunteers)

14/04/07
From 1pm till around 9pm at night, we were volunteering at checkpoint 3. When we first arrived we set out the tables and chairs in the tent and set out food - muesli bars, soup, fruit etc. After the walkers arrived we were running around getting medicine for sore feet, calling the doctor and later on from 7pm-9pm we were outside the (nice, warm) tent marshalling the cars and giving directions to the families/friends of the walkers.

Overall, it was a great experience. Although a little too cold for my liking! But it felt rewarding knowing that I was a part of the Oxfam Trailwalker NZ 2007. I learnt how to use the registration database, sort out entry packs and even how to guide cars in the freezing cold! I definately intend on helping out again next year and hope to see many people competing again.