Update on my Big Night Out Winter Walk for the Big Issue.
I want to say a HUGE thank you to everyone who sponsored me. Some photos will appear soon on this web-site.
I completed the walk at 5.20 a.m. on Saturday morning. It was nerve-racking before the 10:30 start. First of all just staying awake that late was a challenge; but my biggest worry was the length of the course as I've never walked 18 miles in one go before. The first three, and the last two miles seemed the longest but the company of the Wine Wanderers Team, the brillliant organisation by The Big Issue, walking amongst and meeting vendors, and London's extraordinary sites kept me going to the end.
A dear former boss used to say to me I shouldn't attend any meeting unless I came out with something positive to tell him. Well I learned many things on the Big Walk but two important things come to mind. This is for you, Brian, and others who so generously sponsored me.
* Big Issue Vendors aren't generally the people you see in doorways sleeping rough. I learned that vendors have all been homeless at one time, and on that route many developed alchohol and drug problems which they have to confront in addition to the misfortunes that led them on to the streets in the first place.
*When you see a vendor you will know they've been on a monumental personal journey to get that far. They're now self-employed and have bought their Big Issues to sell to you. They're also working actively to rehabilitate themselves. If you already have a copy of that issue or don't want to buy one it's worth saying hello.
Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.
On Friday 20th November I will be joining the Big Night Out Winter Walk to support the Big Issue Foundation which works to empower homeless and vulnerable people throughout the UK.
We're celebrating the 18th birthday of the Big Issue Foundation by walking 18 miles through the streets of London starting at 10 at night. We'll meet the vendors and will visit some remarkable venues. I'm going to see for the first time what a night out in London really means for people who have no home to go to.
The Big Issue is a great read. If, like me, you've passed by a vendor and still have the pound in your pocket please give it to Just Giving. Every penny, plus a little extra, will go to charity.
Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.
So please dig deep and donate now.
