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Hiking For Charlie2023

Hiking For Charlie2023

Fundraising for

Variety Of Greater Kansas City Tent 8

Fundraising forVariety Of Greater Kansas City Tent 8
John Fennell

John Fennell

Overland Park KS

$7,620of $5,000 goal
92
Donors
45
Comments
43Share Arrow
Shares
Donation protected
👍 0% fee
Donations are tax-deductible

Thank you for your support in 2023. We have launched a 2024 Hiking For Charlie fundraiser which can be visited here: *HikingForCharlie

JOHN

My name is John and I'm hiking the Appalachian Trail for my friend Charlie. I met Charlie when he was just two years old and have watched him grow up to become the wonderful young man he is today. It gives me great pleasure to be in a position to help Charlie raise funds for his favourite charity - Variety KC.

I'm recently retired and currently 'Under New Management' 😂.  I've always had an adventurous spirit and spent several years camping regularly with my two son's, exploring the natural beauty this country has to offer. I have taken part in several 5K and 10K charity races and recently completed my first half Marathon. Of course, I've never attempted to hike 2,200 miles before so I'm hoping my regular fitness routine and hiking preparation will see me through to the end. 

 

CHARLIE

My name is Charlie. I was born with a neuromuscular disease called Spinal Muscular Atrophy.  Because of this disease, I can only move a few of my fingers and not much else.  Despite this challenge, I have always tried to keep a brave face and not let this unfortunate situation define me.  

I’m a 19 year old college student who is studying computer science. I enjoy playing D&D both online and in person. I love watching the Chiefs and the Royals with my family.  I also like to play computer games in my spare time.  

I want to support Variety KC because it has continued to try to make as many places as possible accessible in Kansas City for kids and adults like me.    

 

VARIETY CHILDREN'S CHARITY OF GREATER KANSAS CITY (Variety KC)

Variety KC is a non profit organization focusing on inclusion, accessability and providing equipment to disabled children in the Greater Kansas City Area. Their most recent endeavour has been to open an all inclusive, accessible, interactive area at the new Kansas City International Airport. You can read more about their organization https://varietykc.org/

Fundraiser Updates (5)

August 20, 2024
John Fennell
John Fennell

Hello everyone! Long time no hear. We just wanted to let you know that we will begin a new page through spotfund raising money and awareness for CURE SMA. I'm enclosing the link and want to thank you all for your generous donations. Come check out our new adventures to be posted at a later date. http://spot.fund/6cvvhgsc

August 31, 2023
John Fennell
John Fennell

We have now arrived back in Kansas and are adjusting to LIFE at home. The first week was tough with 114 ++ degree Fahrenheit heat index. We could barely breathe 😂. We hadn't really seen temps much above the high 80's since we left in March.

At first, our modest sized house seemed HUGE and we thought we might have to stay in the camper on our driveway for a few nights, just to adjust 😂. We didn't do that but our bed and shower seemed massive and it was a long old hike to the kitchen. Lin spent days trying to flush the toilet with a non existent push pedal and I couldn't remember where anything was 😂.

My recovery is still ongoing. My toe has finally healed but now I'm slotted to see a podiatrist and a vascular specialist to get to the root of the problem so to speak. 

The purpose for this update is to let you know that we will be live on our local Fox 4 morning show at 8.30 a.m. on September 5th 2023 and then Charlie will be interviewed at 9.30 a.m. We realise that not everyone who donated will be able to watch the live show so we're hoping to update this page with a link for those of you who'd like to take a look at a later time.

Thanks again for all your support and donations. We are just waiting for the final donation numbers to be added to the final total and we are beyond grateful to you all. 

Have a fantastic Labour Day weekend America 🇺🇸. The final summer bash for many of you. 

Poles up!

'Hiking for Charlie' and crew 

❤

❤

❤

 

 

August 22, 2023
John Fennell
John Fennell

We couldn't let this day go by without wishing the man of the hour a very HAPPY 20th BIRTHDAY 🎈

August 09, 2023
John Fennell
John Fennell

AUGUST 8th 2023

Okay all you Hiking for Charlie fans we have updates. Despite the two week break John's right foot is still not healing adequately to endure the constant wet and muddy conditions to the North. We have stayed close to the trail in hopes of better news but this week we had to face the difficult decision that for John's health and Lin's sanity we need to make our way back to Kansas.

 
For those of you who know John or Lin, you know this has not been an easy decision. Lin has been concerned for weeks but it's taken John a little longer to come to terms with the fact that 1. He isn't in his 20's anymore 2. He doesn't bounce back like he used to 3. He can't finish what he set out to do - at least for now and 4. He's letting you all down, especially Charlie. 
 
I'm here to tell you that John gave it his all and he's definitely not a quitter. I am beyond proud of everything he has accomplished and I hope you are too. He's hiked 1,400 miles through 8 states and entered the 9th state out of 14 on the AT. He carried his food and supplies on his back for 86 days through rain, mud, extreme heat, extreme cold, severe thunderstorms and hail. He encountered bears, snakes, deer, fawns, porcupine, turtles, numerous salamanders, incessant people carrying mosquitos, prehistoric unidentifiable insects and so much more. He climbed mountains, went through rock fields for days, went bouldering, hiked through meadows, fields and streams, bathed in rivers, slept on sloped ridges, filtered water from streams, cooked all his meals on a small stove and always kept a positive attitude and a smile of his face for Charlie. 
 
After losing 24 pounds and muscle mass, suffering welts on his body from insect bites that no repellent out there could prevent, blisters upon blisters, blackened toenails, lost toe nails, swollen feet and ankles, torn ligaments, two ER visits, three days in the hospital on IV antibiotics followed by oral antibiotics, a plethora of medications, ointments, lotions, bandaids, mole skin, gauze, foot soaks, specialty socks and more, it was time to admit defeat. 
 
So, on Saturday, August 12th we will begin the 1,200 mile 4 day journey home - a home we haven't set foot in for 5 months. After driving 10,400 miles since leaving Kansas and John hiking 1,400 plus miles from Georgia to New York we can honestly say this has been an adventure of a lifetime and we've loved sharing every step of the way with you. 
 
Thanks for your support, messages, phone calls, emails and donations they have meant the world to us. Thanks to The Lookout Hostel owner, Bernadette 'Yard Sale', for graciously coming to pick up our food donations for hikers, to all who provided trail magic, trail maintenance and support, and to all the wonderful people we met along the way. We will keep this page active because you never quite know what the future holds, and 'Hiking for Charlie' still has unfinished business to attend to. 
 
Much love,
 
John 'Hiking for Charlie', Lin 'Driving for Charlie', Ziggy 'Drooling for Charlie' and Charlie 'Raising funds for Variety KC'
 
                                           ❤❤❤
 
 
 
 
July 27, 2023
John Fennell
John Fennell
JULY 20th CONT'D I mistakenly posted pictures on the 20th that were meant for the 21st and a photo on the 19th that was meant for the 20th Oops! These are the official 20th pics.
JULY 21st 2023
DAY 85
High Point Shelter - NJ 94/ Vernon 
18.9 miles
 
I was woken up at 4.00am to a horrendous thunderstorm with torrential rain, which caused the lower corner of my tent to leak. As soon as the rain stopped I rescued my bear canister out of the vault and packed everything up under the cover of my tent. The trail was rocky, muddy, wet and slick all day and the mosquitoes were out in full force. My day began with a large climb up the 'Stairway to Heaven', which entailed climbing up and over large boulders with lots of scrambles. Shortly after, I was diverted off the trail for about 1/2 mile to avoid a swamp area. Then I hiked along the shaded fence line in the meadows. I stopped by Unionville for a cold drink/chips and hiked around the Wallkill Bird Preserve, which is a swampland for wading and water birds. I hiked across a lot of boardwalks in the swamplands (thanks Moose) and crossed the large suspension bridge that Moose helped build. I finished the day with two trail magics; A beer from Moss, a young lady who hiked the AT in 2022 and a Gatorade and Halo orange from the husband of a current through hiker. After my adventures today, I knew I couldn't hike another step, so I stealth camped behind the trailhead kiosk. Stealth camping is when you camp in undesignated areas. You can be forced to move but thankfully that didn't happen. 
UNIONVILLE NY
JULY 22nd 2023
DAY 86
NJ94/Vernon - NY 17A 
15.1 miles
 
My stealth camping came at a price with highway noise all night long and the trains blowing their horns at the crossings. There was lower humidity and temperatures today, which made for very nice hiking. Unfortunately, the sore toes on my right foot had flared up again after yesterday's wet and muddy hiking, but the mosquito activity had dropped off considerably! I crossed multiple footbridges and found a trail magic cooler, left by Cinderella, full of soft drinks and enjoyed a Dr. Pepper. The trail was challenging with larger rocks, and ridge running most of the day above Greenwood Lake. I crossed the New York State Line into state number 9 and hiked to meet Lin at NY17A Warwick. I arrived early so I bought hotdog, chips and a coke from a veteran owned hot dog stand. 
 
When Lin and Ziggy arrived, Lin insisted on going to New York's finest ice cream store, Bellevalle Creamery, just up the road. Yummy! The place was packed and we met two other hikers, 'Firefly' and 'Tenderfoot' who gave Lin the trail name 'Driving for Charlie'. Lin had driven the 2 hrs up to New Jersey and had booked us into a hotel for us to stay locally with the initial intention of slack packing me for the next week. She didn't know until she saw me hobbling at the pick up point that my toes had taken a turn for the worst!
JULY 23rd - July 25th 2023
After evaluating my toe - Lin determined that I should go to the local urgent care clinic who determined I needed to go to the ER. At the ER I was started on IV antibiotics and ended up staying three days in the hospital. Ouch! Not in my plans but I guess Lin was right again - Gosh that's hard to admit LOL!
 
My nurse Jason who is also a hiker and put the word out that I needed 5000 Calories a day. What a champ he was!
JULY 26th 2023
So now the question stands as to what to-do next. For now we are heading back to our campsite in New Tripoli to hang out and relax for the next two weeks. We never seem to find the time to take advantage of everything these campsites have to offer so for now we'll be poolside, chilling out and enjoying a bit of r&r until my feet have healed and I can hit the trail again. 
 
Thanks for tuning in and following 'Part One' of our journey. Thanks for all the donations and encouraging notes. You have unknowingly helped so many children in our community with your generosity and we are eternally grateful. Stay tuned for 'Part Two', hopefully resuming in two weeks. 
 
Much love,
 
John 'Hiking for Charlie', Lin 'Driving for Charlie', Ziggy 'Drooling for Charlie' and Charlie 'Raising funds for Variety KC' ❤
Pamela Kim
Mj Purk & Brenda Hanson
Sinclair Ryan
John Fennell
Susan Lohman
and others donated recently
Anonymous

Anonymous

$50 • Recent donation

John and Kim Sykora

John and Kim Sykora

$500 • Top donation (Offline)

Eugene Oneill

Eugene Oneill

$50 • First donation

Organizer

John Fennell

Show your support to John Fennell by donating to this fundraiser benefiting Variety Of Greater Kansas City Tent 8

Hiking For Charlie2023
John Fennell

John Fennell

Overland Park KS

Fundraising for

Variety Of Greater Kansas City Tent 8

Fundraising forVariety Of Greater Kansas City Tent 8
Donation protected
👍 0% fee
Donations are tax-deductible

Thank you for your support in 2023. We have launched a 2024 Hiking For Charlie fundraiser which can be visited here: *HikingForCharlie

JOHN

My name is John and I'm hiking the Appalachian Trail for my friend Charlie. I met Charlie when he was just two years old and have watched him grow up to become the wonderful young man he is today. It gives me great pleasure to be in a position to help Charlie raise funds for his favourite charity - Variety KC.

I'm recently retired and currently 'Under New Management' 😂.  I've always had an adventurous spirit and spent several years camping regularly with my two son's, exploring the natural beauty this country has to offer. I have taken part in several 5K and 10K charity races and recently completed my first half Marathon. Of course, I've never attempted to hike 2,200 miles before so I'm hoping my regular fitness routine and hiking preparation will see me through to the end. 

 

CHARLIE

My name is Charlie. I was born with a neuromuscular disease called Spinal Muscular Atrophy.  Because of this disease, I can only move a few of my fingers and not much else.  Despite this challenge, I have always tried to keep a brave face and not let this unfortunate situation define me.  

I’m a 19 year old college student who is studying computer science. I enjoy playing D&D both online and in person. I love watching the Chiefs and the Royals with my family.  I also like to play computer games in my spare time.  

I want to support Variety KC because it has continued to try to make as many places as possible accessible in Kansas City for kids and adults like me.    

 

VARIETY CHILDREN'S CHARITY OF GREATER KANSAS CITY (Variety KC)

Variety KC is a non profit organization focusing on inclusion, accessability and providing equipment to disabled children in the Greater Kansas City Area. Their most recent endeavour has been to open an all inclusive, accessible, interactive area at the new Kansas City International Airport. You can read more about their organization https://varietykc.org/

Fundraiser Updates (5)

August 20, 2024
John Fennell
John Fennell

Hello everyone! Long time no hear. We just wanted to let you know that we will begin a new page through spotfund raising money and awareness for CURE SMA. I'm enclosing the link and want to thank you all for your generous donations. Come check out our new adventures to be posted at a later date. http://spot.fund/6cvvhgsc

August 31, 2023
John Fennell
John Fennell

We have now arrived back in Kansas and are adjusting to LIFE at home. The first week was tough with 114 ++ degree Fahrenheit heat index. We could barely breathe 😂. We hadn't really seen temps much above the high 80's since we left in March.

At first, our modest sized house seemed HUGE and we thought we might have to stay in the camper on our driveway for a few nights, just to adjust 😂. We didn't do that but our bed and shower seemed massive and it was a long old hike to the kitchen. Lin spent days trying to flush the toilet with a non existent push pedal and I couldn't remember where anything was 😂.

My recovery is still ongoing. My toe has finally healed but now I'm slotted to see a podiatrist and a vascular specialist to get to the root of the problem so to speak. 

The purpose for this update is to let you know that we will be live on our local Fox 4 morning show at 8.30 a.m. on September 5th 2023 and then Charlie will be interviewed at 9.30 a.m. We realise that not everyone who donated will be able to watch the live show so we're hoping to update this page with a link for those of you who'd like to take a look at a later time.

Thanks again for all your support and donations. We are just waiting for the final donation numbers to be added to the final total and we are beyond grateful to you all. 

Have a fantastic Labour Day weekend America 🇺🇸. The final summer bash for many of you. 

Poles up!

'Hiking for Charlie' and crew 

❤

❤

❤

 

 

August 22, 2023
John Fennell
John Fennell

We couldn't let this day go by without wishing the man of the hour a very HAPPY 20th BIRTHDAY 🎈

August 09, 2023
John Fennell
John Fennell

AUGUST 8th 2023

Okay all you Hiking for Charlie fans we have updates. Despite the two week break John's right foot is still not healing adequately to endure the constant wet and muddy conditions to the North. We have stayed close to the trail in hopes of better news but this week we had to face the difficult decision that for John's health and Lin's sanity we need to make our way back to Kansas.

 
For those of you who know John or Lin, you know this has not been an easy decision. Lin has been concerned for weeks but it's taken John a little longer to come to terms with the fact that 1. He isn't in his 20's anymore 2. He doesn't bounce back like he used to 3. He can't finish what he set out to do - at least for now and 4. He's letting you all down, especially Charlie. 
 
I'm here to tell you that John gave it his all and he's definitely not a quitter. I am beyond proud of everything he has accomplished and I hope you are too. He's hiked 1,400 miles through 8 states and entered the 9th state out of 14 on the AT. He carried his food and supplies on his back for 86 days through rain, mud, extreme heat, extreme cold, severe thunderstorms and hail. He encountered bears, snakes, deer, fawns, porcupine, turtles, numerous salamanders, incessant people carrying mosquitos, prehistoric unidentifiable insects and so much more. He climbed mountains, went through rock fields for days, went bouldering, hiked through meadows, fields and streams, bathed in rivers, slept on sloped ridges, filtered water from streams, cooked all his meals on a small stove and always kept a positive attitude and a smile of his face for Charlie. 
 
After losing 24 pounds and muscle mass, suffering welts on his body from insect bites that no repellent out there could prevent, blisters upon blisters, blackened toenails, lost toe nails, swollen feet and ankles, torn ligaments, two ER visits, three days in the hospital on IV antibiotics followed by oral antibiotics, a plethora of medications, ointments, lotions, bandaids, mole skin, gauze, foot soaks, specialty socks and more, it was time to admit defeat. 
 
So, on Saturday, August 12th we will begin the 1,200 mile 4 day journey home - a home we haven't set foot in for 5 months. After driving 10,400 miles since leaving Kansas and John hiking 1,400 plus miles from Georgia to New York we can honestly say this has been an adventure of a lifetime and we've loved sharing every step of the way with you. 
 
Thanks for your support, messages, phone calls, emails and donations they have meant the world to us. Thanks to The Lookout Hostel owner, Bernadette 'Yard Sale', for graciously coming to pick up our food donations for hikers, to all who provided trail magic, trail maintenance and support, and to all the wonderful people we met along the way. We will keep this page active because you never quite know what the future holds, and 'Hiking for Charlie' still has unfinished business to attend to. 
 
Much love,
 
John 'Hiking for Charlie', Lin 'Driving for Charlie', Ziggy 'Drooling for Charlie' and Charlie 'Raising funds for Variety KC'
 
                                           ❤❤❤
 
 
 
 
July 27, 2023
John Fennell
John Fennell
JULY 20th CONT'D I mistakenly posted pictures on the 20th that were meant for the 21st and a photo on the 19th that was meant for the 20th Oops! These are the official 20th pics.
JULY 21st 2023
DAY 85
High Point Shelter - NJ 94/ Vernon 
18.9 miles
 
I was woken up at 4.00am to a horrendous thunderstorm with torrential rain, which caused the lower corner of my tent to leak. As soon as the rain stopped I rescued my bear canister out of the vault and packed everything up under the cover of my tent. The trail was rocky, muddy, wet and slick all day and the mosquitoes were out in full force. My day began with a large climb up the 'Stairway to Heaven', which entailed climbing up and over large boulders with lots of scrambles. Shortly after, I was diverted off the trail for about 1/2 mile to avoid a swamp area. Then I hiked along the shaded fence line in the meadows. I stopped by Unionville for a cold drink/chips and hiked around the Wallkill Bird Preserve, which is a swampland for wading and water birds. I hiked across a lot of boardwalks in the swamplands (thanks Moose) and crossed the large suspension bridge that Moose helped build. I finished the day with two trail magics; A beer from Moss, a young lady who hiked the AT in 2022 and a Gatorade and Halo orange from the husband of a current through hiker. After my adventures today, I knew I couldn't hike another step, so I stealth camped behind the trailhead kiosk. Stealth camping is when you camp in undesignated areas. You can be forced to move but thankfully that didn't happen. 
UNIONVILLE NY
JULY 22nd 2023
DAY 86
NJ94/Vernon - NY 17A 
15.1 miles
 
My stealth camping came at a price with highway noise all night long and the trains blowing their horns at the crossings. There was lower humidity and temperatures today, which made for very nice hiking. Unfortunately, the sore toes on my right foot had flared up again after yesterday's wet and muddy hiking, but the mosquito activity had dropped off considerably! I crossed multiple footbridges and found a trail magic cooler, left by Cinderella, full of soft drinks and enjoyed a Dr. Pepper. The trail was challenging with larger rocks, and ridge running most of the day above Greenwood Lake. I crossed the New York State Line into state number 9 and hiked to meet Lin at NY17A Warwick. I arrived early so I bought hotdog, chips and a coke from a veteran owned hot dog stand. 
 
When Lin and Ziggy arrived, Lin insisted on going to New York's finest ice cream store, Bellevalle Creamery, just up the road. Yummy! The place was packed and we met two other hikers, 'Firefly' and 'Tenderfoot' who gave Lin the trail name 'Driving for Charlie'. Lin had driven the 2 hrs up to New Jersey and had booked us into a hotel for us to stay locally with the initial intention of slack packing me for the next week. She didn't know until she saw me hobbling at the pick up point that my toes had taken a turn for the worst!
JULY 23rd - July 25th 2023
After evaluating my toe - Lin determined that I should go to the local urgent care clinic who determined I needed to go to the ER. At the ER I was started on IV antibiotics and ended up staying three days in the hospital. Ouch! Not in my plans but I guess Lin was right again - Gosh that's hard to admit LOL!
 
My nurse Jason who is also a hiker and put the word out that I needed 5000 Calories a day. What a champ he was!
JULY 26th 2023
So now the question stands as to what to-do next. For now we are heading back to our campsite in New Tripoli to hang out and relax for the next two weeks. We never seem to find the time to take advantage of everything these campsites have to offer so for now we'll be poolside, chilling out and enjoying a bit of r&r until my feet have healed and I can hit the trail again. 
 
Thanks for tuning in and following 'Part One' of our journey. Thanks for all the donations and encouraging notes. You have unknowingly helped so many children in our community with your generosity and we are eternally grateful. Stay tuned for 'Part Two', hopefully resuming in two weeks. 
 
Much love,
 
John 'Hiking for Charlie', Lin 'Driving for Charlie', Ziggy 'Drooling for Charlie' and Charlie 'Raising funds for Variety KC' ❤

Organizer

John Fennell

Show your support to John Fennell by donating to this fundraiser benefiting Variety Of Greater Kansas City Tent 8

$7,620of $5,000 goal
92Donors
45Comments
43Share ArrowShares
Pamela Kim
Mj Purk & Brenda Hanson
Sinclair Ryan
John Fennell
Susan Lohman
and others donated recently
Anonymous

Anonymous

$50 • Recent donation

John and Kim Sykora

John and Kim Sykora

$500 • Top donation (Offline)

Eugene Oneill

Eugene Oneill

$50 • First donation

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