A recent University of Otago graduate is trading her academic gown for a pair of well-worn hiking boots as she embarks on a 1000-kilometre trek across Europe to raise money for a charity close to her heart.
Olivia Charles, 22, who completed her archaeology honours degree late last year, will fly to Europe this month to take on the historic Camino de Santiago. The epic journey serves a dual purpose: a significant personal challenge and a fundraiser for The Little Miracles Trust, which supports the families of premature babies.
Miss Charles's route will follow the famous network of ancient pilgrim trails that make up the Camino, a designated UNESCO World Heritage site. She will cover approximately 800 kilometres across France and Spain before pressing on to what was known by ancient mariners as ‘The End of the World’. Sagres Point in Portugal. bringing her total journey to a staggering 1000 kilometres.
The Camino de Santiago, or the Way of St. James, has been a major Christian pilgrimage route since the Middle Ages. Today, it attracts hundreds of thousands of walkers and cyclists from all over the world. Miss Charles anticipates the walk will take around two months to complete.
A personal and physical challenge
In preparation for the arduous solo journey, Miss Charles has been a familiar sight on the trails surrounding Dunedin, training with a backpack to acclimatise to the demands of long-distance hiking. Many of the region's tracks offer the kind of hilly terrain perfect for preparing for such an undertaking.
While she is setting off alone, she expects to find camaraderie on the well-trodden path. “I will be setting off by myself, but I am expecting to meet other walkers along the way. there is a large infrastructure around the trail, which I believe attracts about 200,000 people each year,” she said.
The walk is known for being more than just a physical test, a sentiment Miss Charles is embracing. “People describe the Camino de Santiago as a physical, spiritual and emotional challenge. I am really looking forward to the experience,” she says.
Walking for 'little miracles'
The driving force behind this monumental effort is to support The Little Miracles Trust, an organisation for which she developed a deep appreciation while volunteering during her time at university. The charity provides crucial support to families with premature babies in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) or Special Care Baby Units (SCBU) across New Zealand.
This is a charity that is very close to my heart, and I’ve seen its incredible impact as a volunteer during my studies at the University of Otago.
The trust supports up to 5800 babies and their families each year, providing everything from essential care packs to emotional support during an intensely stressful time. For Miss Charles, the connection is also personal. “A long time ago, two of my best friends spent time in a NICU, so I am incredibly grateful for the support the Trust was able to provide,” she said. “And so, I decided to make walking the Camino de Santiago an opportunity to highlight this amazing charity.”
Her Givealittle fundraising page will remain active throughout her two-month pilgrimage, allowing supporters to follow her journey and contribute to the cause.
From ancient trails to ancient history
Miss Charles's passion for history is not confined to walking ancient pathways. The University of Otago alumna's academic work has focused on the significant threats facing global heritage sites. “In my studies so far, I have focused on threats to cultural and heritage sites from conflict, wars and climate change, with a special interest in Egypt and the near Eastern region. all of which is very topical,” she said. This field of study is increasingly vital as organisations like UNESCO work to protect sites from a growing list of dangers, including the environmental pressures that also concern Dunedin locals, who recently cut city emissions but still face long-term challenges and are, like much of New Zealand, subject to high car dependency.
Upon completing the Camino, Miss Charles will briefly return to Dunedin to pack before embarking on the next chapter of her academic career. In September, she will move to the north of England to begin a master's degree in Archaeology at Durham University, a world-leading institution in the field. Find out more about what's happening in other parts of the country, like the DARKLIGHT experience in Auckland.
Her ultimate ambition is to work as a professional archaeologist, potentially based in the United Kingdom, Europe, or with an international body like UNESCO, dedicating her career to preserving the world's shared history. Her 1000-kilometre walk marks the first step, not just across continents, but towards that future.
