Val Little

Why I’m Sweating with Pride

I’m taking on Sweat with Pride this June to raise money for our Rainbow communities! 💦🌈

Our schools, workplaces, and doctors’ offices are still not safe places for many Rainbow New Zealanders and it’s putting lives at risk.

More than half our rainbow whānau have experienced mental illness. One in five of our rainbow rangatahi (youth) have attempted suicide. And life changing STIs like syphilis, mpox and HIV are still far too common. Things need to change.

So, this June I’m fighting discrimination with perspiration, and I've committed to exercising for at least 21 minutes EVERY DAY to raise money to support Rainbow Kiwis.

This cause means a lot to me. I’d be SO GRATEFUL if you could chip in to help me reach my goal. Every dollar I raise will fund life-changing mental, physical and sexual health services for Rainbow New Zealanders.

Thank you sooooo much ❤️

My Impact

So far in this year’s challenge I have…

Unlocked a group peer support session for 20 Rainbow Kiwis.

Sponsor Me

Track my Progress

I’m sweating for 60 minutes
per day this June!

3,360 minutes completed

1,800 minutes goal

My Ranking

I’m #34 out of 4,347 Sweaty Bettys

Val Little

Raised

$1,653

View Full Leaderboards

My Updates

Day thir......THE LAST. DAY

Sunday 30th Jun

We made it. And best of all the takatāpui, queer, rainbow persons who benefit from this fundraiser. 🖤🤎❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🖤🤍❤️

Day 29 - last day eve!

Saturday 29th Jun

We went on a 1.5 hour sunset walk and Mickey was so excited that she barked and barked and barked until she became a little horse (see pic) hee hee haw 😜

Day 28 - Mānawatia a Matariki!

Friday 28th Jun

Walked an hour this morning to see Matariki fade as the sun rose. Then cleaned the house for two hours followed by a 1.5 hour walk on the beach and in the hills. A huge day and the perfect way to start the new year.

Day 27 - Two brisk walks 🚶‍♂️

Thursday 27th Jun

.... and we spotted a seal frolicking in the sea!

Day 26 - a three-walk day chasing seagulls, lunch, and the sun

Wednesday 26th Jun

Only four more days for this challenge. We'd love your support if you can give it. Mickey will be your friend for life ✨️ ❤️ 💕

Day 25 - one hour morning walk between showers

Tuesday 25th Jun

It was wet and cold today, so no afternoon walk - soz Mickey! Back to it tomorrow with fingers crossed 🤞.

Day 24 - An 80 minute walk that started in the light and ended in the dark

Monday 24th Jun

The days will start to get longer now that we've past the winter solstice. Summer is coming - woohoo 🙌

Day 23 - we just beat the rain and rising tide!

Sunday 23rd Jun

We had a two hour walk keeping one eye on the approaching rain clouds and one eye on the rising tide. But we made it! The countdown is on - only one week to go. Woohoo 🥳

Day 22 - Roadie with lots of breaks and micro walks plus a sunset dog walk

Saturday 22nd Jun

All up 1.5 hours. I stopped to take a gazillion photos of Taranaki Maunga on my way home. Ataahua 💚

Day 21 - Amazing day in Taranaki!

Friday 21st Jun

Walked the iconic Coastal Walkway in New Plymouth for 2.5 hrs and took in the glorious sight of the snow-covered Maunga from the black-sand beach. It was divine.

Day 20 - Amazing who you meet when you're walking

Thursday 20th Jun

This cutie followed us for 10 minutes of our 90 minute walk - dancing and darting around us. 😍

Day 19 - Check out the fancy threads ✨️ 😎

Wednesday 19th Jun

Got my Sweat with Pride sweatshirt in the mail today so I chucked it on and went for a 45 minute post-sunset beach walk with my wife and pooch to show it off.

Day 18 - one hour total of lots of micro walks between work meetings.

Tuesday 18th Jun

So many meetings! Also an abundance of rainbows with a sky that was half sunny/half raining all day. It's a sign, I tell you! The photo is our Pride flag flying against a brooding sky this morning. PS/ Mickey got her walk from my love, Pat.)

Day 17 - A power walk, a boogie board and a stroll.

Monday 17th Jun

Power walked at sunrise trying to beat the rain that never came 😏. Followed by a pre-mahi boogie board that was going so well until I dived under a big wave and my wrist strap broke... I watched my boogie board ride a perfect wave to the shore as I swum and flippered to catch up to it - ha ha! Ended the day with a lovely sunset stroll. All in all a great Monday sweating with Pride in paradise 🌈🤙🏝

Day 16 - Sweat with Pride? More like Slobber with Pride 😏

Sunday 16th Jun

It was a late afternoon two-hour hike in the very wet hills today. FYI - the white stripe across Mickey's face is her own slobber. Yep, we've reached that point.

Day 15 - Oh we're halfway there 🎵🎶

Saturday 15th Jun

Change of scene today with a 45 minute walk on a breezy Waikanae Beach.

Day 14 - Getting up a sweat in a wetsuit

Friday 14th Jun

It was a rainy day so I chucked on a wetsuit and went boogie boarding for an hour! Caught some epic rides from the back of the breakers to the shore and threw in a couple of spectacular wipeouts for fun 😀 🤙. Finished the day with an hour's walk in the rain with Mickey. Walking in the rain is underrated imo. We loved it ❤️.

Day 13 - Sweat and tears

Thursday 13th Jun

Sweat from two walks totalling 2hrs 20 minutes and tears of gratitude from my lovely sponsors who helped me reach my fundraising goal! Whoop woof 🥳🕺🐕

Day 12 - Yass Kween!

Wednesday 12th Jun

Nearly halfway there and still going strong! Three walks with Mickey today totalling 75 minutes. We're doing royally well 😂😍

Day 11 - Don't look now, but it's a view from the lookout!

Tuesday 11th Jun

A two walk day today - both an hour. This is the view from the second walk from the Lookout over Paekākāriki Beach. It's Pride in paradise.

Day 10 - A dark and stormy day

Monday 10th Jun

One hour walk in ear flappingly strong winds!

Day 9 - a short brisk walk on a wet and grey day.

Sunday 9th Jun

... And a happy tail wag from Mickey 🥰

Day 8 - on top of the world

Saturday 8th Jun

Two walks today - both 2 hours each. First with a friend to the top of the Kohekohe Loop - check out that view! Second with the doggo on the beach and in the trails.

Day 7 - one whole week!

Friday 7th Jun

Another big walk with Mickey (doggo) - 2.5 hours. Thanks to my sponsors and cheerleaders xx

Day 6 - No time to paws

Thursday 6th Jun

Two walks today. Morning 45 minutes, then an hour tonight. We're leaving our mark on this Sweat with Pride thing!

Day 5 - Today I wrestled my cat

Wednesday 5th Jun

It took 20 minutes to wrestle my cat, Puia, into a cage to take her to the vet. That's real exercise right there. I also walked my dog for an hour. But honestly, that was a walk in the park compared to the wrestle with my cat.