Six-week walk from Wales back to homeless charity’s base raises almost £50,000
A group of six people, including three who have experienced homelessness, set out on the route called the Via Beata in August.
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A 450-mile hike on a route across the widest part of the UK has raised almost £50,000 for a homeless charity.
The group of six people, including three who have experienced homelessness, set out from the cathedral city of St David’s in Pembrokeshire in Wales in August.
They followed a long-distance route called the Via Beata, meaning way of blessing, which runs through the site where the charity Emmaus Norfolk and Waveney is based.
After six weeks, the group completed their Walk of Kindness at the charity’s base in Ditchingham, south Norfolk on Thursday.
Cecile Roberts, who is the charity’s chief executive and led the walk, said: “It’s very emotional to be home and lovely to see so many family, friends and colleagues.
“Lovely to get back and give everyone a big hug.
“I’m so proud of everyone on the walk and everyone back home at Ditchingham.
“It’s been tough at times, but we’ve never given up.”
Among those on the walk was Mick Jagger – who changed his name by deed poll for a new start.
The 63-year-old, from Bradford, West Yorkshire, previously said: “For years and years, well for 40, 50 years, I’ve been a compulsive gambler and I’ve been homeless so many times through the decades.”
He said he changed his name by deed poll “because I didn’t like the person who I was”, adding: “I was nicknamed Jagger when I was growing up so I thought why not just change to Mick Jagger.”
He said after completing the walk: “To raise money to help more out of homelessness is fantastic and we’re grateful to everyone who has donated money to the walk.
“But I wanted to raise awareness of the issues surrounding homelessness and I think we’ve done that.”
Another companion – the name given to those helped by Emmaus – on the walk was Peter Rope from Acle in Norfolk.
The 53-year-old said: “People’s generosity has been extraordinary.
“It will live long in the memory.”
The Walk of Kindness fundraising page is still live. To donate, see emmaus.org.uk/norfolk-waveney/wok/.
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