Ian Mackey
Money for Miraz
Fundraising for The Confraternity Of Saint James
Story
Thank you for visiting my fundraising page. Why have I just run the Edinburgh marathon as a 'gaitero' ? Please see below - then dig deep and sponsor me online !
Miraz is the location of the new pilgrim hostel or 'refugio' that The Confraternity of St. James (the "CSJ", a non-denominational charity) is setting up in Northern Spain on the Camino del Norte, one of the secondary pilgrim paths to Santiago de Compostela.
As part of its mission to promote the pilgrim routes to Santiago, the CSJ set up in 1991 a very successful 'refugio' at Rabanal on the main route to Santiago, the Camino Frances.
Every year, it provides overnight lodging and breakfast for over 8,000 pilgrims as they make their way (on foot, bike or horseback) from as far afield as the Pyrenees or Northern Europe, covering distances ranging from 500 to 1200 miles and beyond. Rabanal's everyday running costs are now covered by pilgrim donations.
The new 'refugio' at Miraz is intended to provide the same support as Rabanal, filling a gap in a remote and otherwise sparsely populated area and thereby encouraging the use of this alternative route. The CSJ is hoping to raise £ 100,000 for Miraz, to cover restoration, fitting out, eventual expansion and as a contingency/subsidy for the first few years' running costs. The symbol chosen for the CSJ's Miraz Fundraising Appeal is a Galician 'gaitero' or bagpiper, so I chose to run this Marathon as a 'gaitero' to publicize this appeal. My costume certainly struck a chord with the many wellwishers lining the course ! Whether they subscribe to a particular belief system or none, almost everyone who walks the Camino finds it a 'lifechanging experience' and many - like me - feel compelled to 'give something back'. That's why I've done this run ! Over the coming months, CSJ members will be taking part in all sorts of events to raise money for this project. I hope that you'll support Miraz with a donation to this truly worthwhile cause. More than any donation, however, I hope you'll take the time to look us up on our website (www.csj.org.uk) and find out more about the Camino de Santiago. Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: The Confraternity of Saint James will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you. So please sponsor me now! Many thanks for your support.
Miraz is the location of the new pilgrim hostel or 'refugio' that The Confraternity of St. James (the "CSJ", a non-denominational charity) is setting up in Northern Spain on the Camino del Norte, one of the secondary pilgrim paths to Santiago de Compostela.
As part of its mission to promote the pilgrim routes to Santiago, the CSJ set up in 1991 a very successful 'refugio' at Rabanal on the main route to Santiago, the Camino Frances.
Every year, it provides overnight lodging and breakfast for over 8,000 pilgrims as they make their way (on foot, bike or horseback) from as far afield as the Pyrenees or Northern Europe, covering distances ranging from 500 to 1200 miles and beyond. Rabanal's everyday running costs are now covered by pilgrim donations.
The new 'refugio' at Miraz is intended to provide the same support as Rabanal, filling a gap in a remote and otherwise sparsely populated area and thereby encouraging the use of this alternative route. The CSJ is hoping to raise £ 100,000 for Miraz, to cover restoration, fitting out, eventual expansion and as a contingency/subsidy for the first few years' running costs. The symbol chosen for the CSJ's Miraz Fundraising Appeal is a Galician 'gaitero' or bagpiper, so I chose to run this Marathon as a 'gaitero' to publicize this appeal. My costume certainly struck a chord with the many wellwishers lining the course ! Whether they subscribe to a particular belief system or none, almost everyone who walks the Camino finds it a 'lifechanging experience' and many - like me - feel compelled to 'give something back'. That's why I've done this run ! Over the coming months, CSJ members will be taking part in all sorts of events to raise money for this project. I hope that you'll support Miraz with a donation to this truly worthwhile cause. More than any donation, however, I hope you'll take the time to look us up on our website (www.csj.org.uk) and find out more about the Camino de Santiago. Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: The Confraternity of Saint James will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you. So please sponsor me now! Many thanks for your support.