Next week, people involved with local homelessness charity Emmaus Cambridge will join an epic 450-mile fundraising walk as it reaches the county, to raise awareness of homelessness and rough sleeping in the area.
The Walk of Kindness, organised by sister charity Emmaus Norfolk & Waveney, began in August at St David’s in Wales, and has stretched across the country to Norfolk. A team of residents from the Norfolk charity are walking ten miles a day for six weeks.
On Wednesday 2nd October, a member of staff and companion from Emmaus Cambridge will join Norfolk walkers Chloe, Peter, and Jagger for a one-day trek through Cambridgeshire.
The group will hike from the villages of Earith to Stretham. Emmaus Cambridge will also host the walkers at their community accommodation before they continue their journey eastwards towards Norfolk.
The Walk of Kindness aims to raise awareness of rising levels of homelessness across the country and to generate the funds needed to help more people find a safe home at Emmaus.
Across the UK, Emmaus currently provides over 850 people with a home, work opportunities, training, and therapeutic support. Locally, Cambridge supports up to 50 individuals who have experienced homelessness, helping them build confidence and new skills.
Donna Talbot, CEO of Emmaus Cambridge who will join the team on the fundraising hike, shares “Emmaus Cambridge are delighted to be involved in this special fundraiser, especially as it nears its conclusion.
“We’re so proud of all those who have taken part in the Pilgrimage and we hope that our support will give the group the extra push that they need to see them over the finish line.
The group have walked in all weathers during this physical and psychological challenge, and we want to help celebrate their incredible achievement so far and encourage others to donate in support of their important new exciting venture.”
The Walk of Kindness follows the newly established Via Beata pilgrimage route and will conclude in Ditchingham, South Norfolk, on World Homeless Day – Thursday 10 October.
Emmaus Norfolk & Waveney aims to raise £360,000 during the walk to open a social enterprise Bed and Breakfast on their site, which will create a new income stream and provide meaningful work opportunities for those they support.
Chloe, one of the residents from Emmaus Norfolk & Waveney, is walking the full 450 miles to raise awareness of the many paths to homelessness.
She said: “Before Emmaus, I wasn’t living, I was just existing. I started drinking at the age of 11 and it all spiralled from there.
“All I could think about was getting the next drink. I lost track of days and hours and eventually ended up living in my car. I’ve got a home now at Emmaus, I’ve got a bed, I’ve got people and family – everyone at Emmaus has become my family.
“I’m really looking forward to the walk. I want to give back to the place that’s given me so much. It will be amazing to meet other people from Emmaus in Cambridge to hear their stories and work together to ensure other people don’t have to experience what we’ve been through”
Emmaus Cambridge and Emmaus Norfolk & Waveney are coming together to help more people out of homelessness and into a safe home. The charities encourage the public to take on their own Kindness challenges or sponsor each mile that the companions walk.
To sponsor the walkers and for more information, visit the Emmaus website: emmaus.org.uk/norfolk-waveney/wok
