Journey of Hope is designed to help those who need assistance with medical treatment, medicine, travel and living costs, and with the charity English-born Brooke has set out to inspire a younger generation and instil hope in our most vulnerable members of society. FishHead was able to grab a minute in Brooke’s busy schedule to meet with the Victoria University student and hospitality guru at his local coffee spot, Poquito.
I try to find a gem in every suburb, and my favourites are… Rinski Korsakov in Berhampore, Charley Noble on Post Office Square, Havana Bar on Wigan Street, Sprig & Fern on Tinakori Road and The Ramen Shop in Newtown. There is something just downright perfect about some steamed pork belly buns followed by a spiced chicken ramen bowl. Lush!
I’ll be working up a sweat… late in the evenings at Snap Fitness opposite my apartment. I go every night to clear my head and get in as much training as I can for future endurance events such as Tough Mudder 2015 and my run to Martinborough in late September (I’m running from the Wellington CBD to Martinborough in 24 hours to raise money for Journey of Hope).
I can’t go past a hearty feed at… Poquito on Tory Street, eating Spanish baked eggs with chorizo and a couple of short blacks to fuel me. Mike and Bryn are always laying ‘the usual’ in front of me. Perfect little spot — and so close to home.
My Sundays consist of… being up early, dodging fellow early-risers down at the Sunday market by Te Papa in an attempt to buy some ingredients I most likely won’t use and a Nutella-filled churro. Sundays are usually the most stressful day of my week, but as I am not drinking for the entirety of 2014, hangovers do not play a part, just lack of coffee.
If I’m in need of a decent coffee, you’ll find me… chilling at the Flight Coffee Hangar. They boast the best coffee, roast the best coffee and have the best baristas to back-up each argument. Can’t beat an Aeropress from Nick!
For a slice of culture, I’ll head to… a live music event, of any genre. Be that live jazz music at Havana Bar, or listening to Fred V & Grafix live at Bodega — an epic music duo from Exeter, back home in Blighty.
University keeps me on my toes, and my favourite study spot is… surrounded by stacks of dense, old books, coffee cups and other semi-studious individuals on level three of the Vic library in Kelburn.
My biggest motivation behind Journey of Hope is… the sheer number of people that go unknown, suffering alone, with rare illness and disease. These people motivate me to get off my arse, because I can help them. Although I have no medical knowledge, I can raise enough money and awareness to get them the help they deserve from the best healthcare professionals we can find.
I am inspired by… the strength of people I have met that do not complain, even when they suffer with such painful illness. Those who are emotionally drained, energy-sapped, yet still give everyone the time of day they deserve. My Papa was such an individual. A D‑Day veteran with heroic stories, who saved the lives of many. I aim to be half the man he was. I have a long way to go.
I will never forget… Caitlin Hawthorn. There are no words that can truly describe what she was to everyone who ever met her. Faced with a rare form of cancer, she was strong, resilient and beautiful, and one of the most, if not the most, caring person I have ever had the chance to call my friend. She is the reason I set up Journey of Hope, to help her.
