After being hit by a car about four months ago, and facing a long road to recovery, he came up with the idea of a fundraising run, where the training involved would help him complete his physiotherapy as well as raise money for two causes close to his heart.
Mr Cairns said he would run 100 miles, or about 160km, over the course of a week, beginning yesterday.
About 40% of the funds raised would be used to send his father over to South Africa, as he had not been able to go to his stepmother’s funeral there three years ago, following her murder during a home invasion.
His father had not been able to see his own father, who was also injured during the home invasion, for about five years, Mr Cairns said.
"When we got the news ... a lot was going on so [my dad] could not quite afford it.
"My dad’s father is quite old, so he was not able to use a phone, so he could not really learn that much about it," he said.
The other 60% raised would go to the Dyslexia Foundation, an organisation that had helped him throughout his schooling.
"I wanted to help spread the word and remove the stigma surrounding dyslexia."
He had already raised over $3000, but because of the Covid-19 outbreak, the funds for his father’s flights would be set aside until it was possible for him to travel safely.
Mr Cairns said his flatmates, and other friends who would travel from Auckland, would be there to support him throughout the week and run part of the way with him, including a 13km route from his flat to St Clair Beach and back.
