🥾 Looking for donated/borrowed camping & hiking supplies for a fundraising challenge ❤️

# Hi everyone! 😊

I’m planning a bit of a crazy personal challenge while I have some time off, and I’m hoping to put together the supplies I need mostly through things people may already have sitting around at home.

I’m planning a multi-day walking challenge from South Frontenac to Bancroft and back, carrying my own camping gear, food and clothing in a backpack and camping along the way where legally permitted.

The current route is approximately 200 km each way, making the entire journey roughly 400 km. I’m currently planning for approximately 12–14 days for the full there-and-back journey, depending on walking conditions, rest stops, camping locations, weather and how the journey unfolds.

I’m trying to do this while spending as little money as possible. I’m limited in what I can spend on the challenge, so I’m hoping the community can come together to help me gather some of the things I need to make this happen!

# ❤️ WHY I’M DOING THIS

I’m doing this to raise awareness and funds for Transverse Myelitis (TM), a rare neurological condition that can have a significant and lasting impact on people’s lives.

This is a cause that is personally meaningful to me, and I’d like to use this challenge to help bring more attention to TM and hopefully raise some money toward the cause.

I’m not an experienced long-distance hiker or marathon runner — I’m simply an ordinary person taking on a roughly 400 km walking challenge because I want to challenge myself, get outside, experience something new and do something meaningful for a cause I care about. ❤️

# 🎒 THINGS I’M CURRENTLY LOOKING FOR

I’m looking for used, spare, unwanted or borrowed items that people may already have sitting around:

\- 🎒 40–60 L hiking/backpacking backpack with a hip belt
\- 🔋 Power bank — ideally 10,000–20,000 mAh; solar charging would be a bonus!
\- 🩹 Small first-aid kit, particularly items useful for blisters/foot care/sunburn
\- 🌧️ Lightweight rain poncho or rain jacket (lg/xl)
\- 💧 Collapsible water bottle/water pouch/LifeStraw or similar water filter
\- 🛏️ Compression/stuff sack for a sleeping bag or tent
\- 📹 Older second-hand video camera + SD card
\- 🥾 Other lightweight camping/hiking gear that you think might be useful for a 12–14 day trip

I’m not looking for anything fancy or new.

Older equipment in good usable condition is absolutely welcome, and borrowing something for the duration of the trip would also be incredibly helpful.

I’m going to be using as much of what I already have as possible rather than buying a bunch of specialized equipment.

I currently have all of the “expensive equipment” needed for this trip, I am looking for second hand, used items, but that is NOT The main part of this post, and it is not something that is necessary! It would simply be a kind thing to do to help support me through this journey. If you can’t help, there is absolutely 0 need to say anything about it. 😊

# 🏕️ LOOKING FOR INFORMATION ABOUT LEGAL WILDERNESS CAMPING

If you’re familiar with Crown Land wilderness camping in the areas I’ll be travelling through, I’d really appreciate any advice or information about legal areas where I could potentially set up a tent.

I’m specifically trying to make sure I’m camping legally and respectfully, and I don’t want to accidentally trespass on private property.

I’m also looking for anyone along my route who may be willing to let me set up my tent on their property for a night. If you’d be willing to help in this way, please send me a message!
If you’d like, I’d be happy to give proper credit to people who help me along the journey in my videos/documentation.

If you happen to see me along my route and want to say hi, offer encouragement, donate to the fundraiser or contribute supplies to me along the way, I’d also be incredibly grateful! ❤️

# 👕 LOOKING FOR A LOCAL T-SHIRT MAKER!

I’d also love to get in contact with someone local (near Kingston Area) who makes custom T-shirts who might be interested in helping me create a shirt specifically for the walk.
I’d like the shirt to promote the fundraiser and Transverse Myelitis awareness, and ideally include a QR code that people can scan to find the fundraiser.

If you make custom shirts, know someone who does, or have a small local business that might be interested in helping with this part of the project, please reach out to me! You will also be properly credited in my videos/documentation as well!

# 📹 DOCUMENTING THE JOURNEY

I’ll be documenting the preparation and actual journey through short-form videos and vlogs, including the places I visit, the challenges I encounter and the people I meet along the way.
I’m hoping to share the experience from the perspective of an ordinary person taking on a pretty intimidating challenge — not someone who has spent years training for extreme endurance events.

I’ll be using whatever equipment I can put together, including my phone and hopefully a small video camera, rather than investing in expensive filming equipment.

# 🏙️ AREAS I EXPECT TO PASS THROUGH

My current route is planned through/near:

\- Sydenham
\- Yarker
\- Newburgh/Roblin
\- Tweed
\- Bannockburn
\- Gilmour
\- Ormsby
\- Knob Siding
\- Bancroft

The exact route and overnight locations are still being planned.

# ☕️ LOOKING TO CHAT

I’m also hoping to connect with someone locally who has experience with:
🥾 Long-distance hiking
🎒 Backpacking
🏕️ Wilderness camping
💰 Fundraising/community events
📱 Social media promotion
If you have experience in any of these areas and would be willing to sit down with me for a coffee or even just have a conversation and offer some advice, I’d genuinely appreciate the guidance.
I’m especially interested in talking to someone who has actually done multi-day backpacking or wilderness trips and could help me make sure I’m approaching this challenge realistically.
Anyone who has experience running fundraisers or small community events, or has experience with social media promotion, please reach out as well!

# 📰 COMMUNITY MEDIA

I’ll also be reaching out to local news sources and community media to share the story.

If you or anyone you know would be interested in chatting with me about the challenge, helping spread awareness of Transverse Myelitis or sharing the fundraiser, please feel free to reach out or send me their contact information.

If you have any suggestions on local media sources to reach out to in these areas let me know:

\- Sydenham
\- Yarker
\- Newburgh/Roblin
\- Tweed
\- Bannockburn
\- Gilmour
\- Ormsby
\- Knob Siding
\- Bancroft

# ❤️ THANK YOU!

Thank you to anyone who takes the time to read this, share it, donate or contribute something.

Even one small item from someone’s basement, garage or closet could help me make this challenge possible.

I’m hoping to turn this into something challenging, positive and meaningful — and hopefully encourage other ordinary people to get outside and take on something they never thought they could do.

I’ll be spending the next little while preparing, training, organizing the route and gathering supplies. I’m hoping to begin the journey once I have everything safely and responsibly organized.

More details about the fundraiser, route, training and video/documentation will be posted once I have everything organized!

# Thank you for supporting me in this crazy little adventure. ❤️🥾🏕️❤️

(I will be planning and creating over the next 2-3 weeks, the Tik Tok will be up in about a week, and that’s when I will begin to take donations!)