A Toronto man who embarked on a 46-hour walk over the weekend to raise money for back to school supplies said he encountered many challenges during the almost two-day trek.
Lawrence Heights resident Trevaun Douglas walked roughly 135 km from Toronto to the U.S side of Niagara Falls on Aug. 10 and called it a test of both mental and physical endurance.
“What I initially estimated would take 28 hours ended up taking 46 hours due to unforeseen circumstances,” he told Now Toronto on Monday.
Douglas encountered a number of physical challenges along the way including swelling in his knees, ankles, and hips, painful blisters, dehydration, heat exhaustion and sleep deprivation.
“My legs are definitely feeling the effects, they’re pretty much destroyed, but my upper body is holding up well,” he said.
Douglas shared a video of himself on Instagram just before crossing the U.S border.
“It’s not supposed to be easy, it’s supposed to be worth it,” he said as he reached the finish line.
Douglas and his friend Pius completed the walk, but four others who set out with them had to pull out.
“I still applaud them for how far they made it,” he told Now Toronto.
Over the course of the walk, Douglas burned 11,000 calories and took 102,000 steps.
So far, he has raised $4,616. “It’s a good start,” he said, “but I’m determined to reach my target.”
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Earlier this month, Douglas set a fundraising goal of $25,000 to purchase school supplies including backpacks, shoes, haircuts, food, books, emergency food boxes, and grocery cards for parents, as well as to host a back to school community event in Lawrence Heights.
This is the second charity walk Douglas has completed this year to help his community.
In May, he raised over $2,500 to take moms from Lawrence Heights on a spa day for Mother’s Day by walking 18 hours from Yorkdale Mall to Hamilton.
His attention is now on his back to school event, which will take place later this month.
“My focus is on ensuring that the kids I’m helping receive all the supplies they need for the upcoming school year,” he concluded.
To learn more about Douglas’s back to school fundraiser, click here.
