Steps of Strength – Tackling the Kokoda Trail with Guillain Barre Syndrome

About the Challenge

In October 2024 Sienna James was struck down by Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS) an acute neurological condition, that left her paralysed almost overnight. Thanks to a quick diagnosis, the expertise of the medical professionals who treated her and the generosity of the plasma donors who made her treatment possible the immune attack on her nerves was halted, However a long and challenging rehabilitation journey lay ahead, one that almost two years later is far from complete.

Despite the life changing loss of mobility and strength Sienna has experienced due to irreversible damage done to her nervous system, Sienna is determined to embrace life, to travel and to push her limits as she did so before GBS. Already this year she has completed a Hyrox Challenge and has completed a hike in the Snowy Mountains.

Next, in December 2026, accompanied by renowned guide Lee Campbell. Sienna will attempt to walk the the Kokoda Trail a mountainous, 96km jungle path in northern Papua New Guinea. Over 9 days, accompanied by close friends and supporters she will tackle this trail made famous by the exploits of the Australians and Papua New Guineans who fought against the Japanese there during World War Two.

Steps of Strength – A Film Raising Awareness of GBS

Sienna is tackling this challenge to raise awareness of GBS and its impact, to highlight the importance of donating plasma and to inspire others who are going through their own GBS journey.

To maximise the reach and impact of this project Sienna is planning to document her journey and to create a cinema quality short film that will allow her and organisations that support GBS patients around the globe to tell her GBS story. As walking the track with GBS will take every ounce strength and fortitude that Sienna and her support team have, she needs funds to enable renowned documentary film maker Matt Jenke of Silvereye Films to join her on the trail to capture the story.

To bring this project to fruition and create a film worthy of this epic challenge requires AU$100,000 of which AU$50,000 must be raised by the end of October to ensure that Matt can travel to PNG with Sienna. You can donate to the cause on Sienna’s Go Fund Me page or get in touch to discuss the many sponsorship packages available.

To find out more about the project and our sponsorship packages please get in touch with us at clive@makingthemostofnow.co.nz

About the Kokoda Trail

The Kokoda Trail is a famous mountainous, jungle path in northern Papua New Guinea, known for its role in World War II. It stretches for 96 kilometres from Ower’s Corner, approximately 40 km north-east of Port Moresby, to the small village of Wairopi, on the northern side of the Owen Stanley mountain range. Its name is derived from the village of Kokoda that stood on the northern side of the main range and was the site of the only airfield between Port Moresby and the north coast.

The trail was where Australian and Japanese soldiers fought hard battles as the Japanese sought to capture Port Morseby, which could be a springboard from which to invade Australia. Starting in July 1942 battle raged along this difficult and challenging track for many months. At one point Japanese forces reached only 8km from the end of the trail and the start of the road to Port Moreseby, before they were pushed back by the Australians. Supported by the Indigenous population who helped injured solders, carried food and medicine, built places for soldiers to stay, and carried hurt soldiers

Approximately 625 Australians were killed along the Kokoda Trail and over 1,600 were wounded. Casualties due to sickness exceeded 4,000. the Kokoda Trail is a way to remember and honour those who fought there. It’s a tough walk, with steep hills and valleys.

Explore the Route

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