Boots made for walking

A Picton woman is set to tackle a 40,000 kilometre walk around the world, raising money and awareness for women’s charities.

Helen-Maree Forde has a smile that shines, a smile she’s fought hard to find again.

Around her neck sits a colourful Tree of Life necklace, at her feet a backpack and her hiking boots.

Aptly Titled You.Can.Go.Far, the odyssey has been a longed-for dream.

The walk of hope is to raise both money and awareness for organisations supporting women who have suffered domestic and sexual abuse.

Helen-Maree knows firsthand the devastating effects of both. At the age of 52 years old, she has found who she truly is, she says.

Now, she hopes to inspire and help others.

I want to show everyone any dream is possible,” Helen-Maree beams.

“I was born into sexual abuse and violence and I grew up seeing a whole lot of things I shouldn’t have.”

It was a trusted family friend who subjected Helen-Maree to four years of sexual abuse when she was a child.

Her sense of self-worth, her perception of healthy relationships and the courage to believe in herself were all ruined, she says.

But she was determined to forge a brighter future.

“I knew I had to step up out of my comfort zone. If I didn’t do that, how was I ever going to live another, better version of myself?

“If we can’t love ourselves, how can we love someone else?

‘I needed to step out of my bubble.”

The Kiwi, who grew up in Marlborough, is predominantly based in the UK, but returns regularly to Picton where her mum lives.

Both Marlborough and England are home, the former Royal Navy chef says but Picton and the Sounds have a special place in her heart.

The town has been her training ground for the last few weeks, taking the Tirohanga in her stride daily.

She started walking the Queen Charlotte Track on Monday 27 January, with every step taking her closer towards her goal.

“My intentions are to start early 2027 I will be 56 at this point and all going well I'll be arriving back home to NZ four years later.”

Helen-Maree was forced to delay after she broke a bone in her right foot, and damaged ligaments and tendons in her leg while training in the UK.

This is the year, training begins again in earnest, she says.

“All round, I feel great.”

Her mobile phone is close at hand, a photo of her younger self with her arm around her granddad. The photo will accompany her on her global trek.

Leo Forde died in 2019; a devastating lost for Helen-Maree. “He was my hero,” she explains. “He’s my hugest inspiration.

“I began to think about what he would have wanted for me and that would be for me to live my best life.”

Helen-Maree will walk along the ancient pilgrim routes (Caminos) across Europe before doubling back and heading to Africa.

She is expected back in New Zealand in 2031.

In each country she hopes advanced publicity and word of mouth will help raise vital funds for local women’s abuse centres.  A budget of 80 eros per day is all she has.

“I know my granddad would be cheering me on. He’d say, ‘you go girl, I’m proud of you.,’”

“I’m a dreamer,” Helen-Maree, explains, “but it’s time to stop dreaming the dream and put them into action.

Follow Helen-Maree’s adventure and find out more at you.can.go.far on Instagram and Facebook.