Hiking Te Araroa for osteoporosis

Mickey O'Donnell and
Michell Doyle

Michelle Doyle was just 24 when she was diagnosed with osteoporosis, a chronic yet common disease usually associated with old age. Finding out her bones were frail came as a big shock, and Michelle admits to knowing very little about the disease at the time.

Being diagnosed at such a young age has had a huge impact on her life, and as a keen hiker, she’s lived with the constant fear of her fragility. But, through her doctors and her own research, Michelle has learnt more about osteoporosis, and with the right diet and exercise, she has been able to increase her bone density and make herself stronger.

Now, she is combining her love of hiking with her other passion, music, and along with her partner, Mickey, are hiking the full length of New Zealand’s Te Araroa trail to raise money for osteoporosis research. Along the way they will be performing a series of concerts, having just released their first album ‘A Walking Pace.’

Michelle and Mickey’s hike begins next month and will take them through to mid-April next year. Twenty per cent of their merchandise sales from their concert tour is being donated to Professor Peter Ebeling’s research group.

For details about Michelle and Mickey’s hike please visit their website, or to donate please go to https://www.pozible.com/profile/michael-odonnell-3