Cindy Eichler is putting her wheelchair to the marathon test this May, covering kilometres to raise funds for the Heart Foundation.

“Some of my family members have some sort of heart condition, and I like being able to help with whatever I can,” she said.

“Being in a wheelchair can limit what I can do, but I can use it to raise kilometres.”

She decided to take on the MyMarathon challenge this month, starting on May 2 – her mum’s birthday.

Mum and team member Coralie Eichler, as well as trusty canine pal Sammy, are along for the walk.

The team go for daily walks, half an hour at a time, starting outside different places including New World, Woolworths and Knox Presbyterian Church, and carrying a red heart balloon from Tui Party Hire.

By yesterday, Ms Eichler had already completed her first marathon, having rolled through 42 kilometres.

She said MyMarathon sent her emails with all the content she could post on social media and her MyMarathon page.

“It was all really easy to do,” she said.

The Heart Foundation has also given her a T-shirt to wear on her walks.

By yesterday, she had raised $240, so is expecting to well surpass her original goal of $250 by the end of the month.

To keep up to date with Ms Eichler, visit her Facebook page – Cindy Eichler – or donate via her MyMarathon page www.mymarathon.co.nz/fundraisers/cindyeichler/mymarathon-2025