After the exhilaration of the 3 Peaks challenge which I undertook last September, my attention turned immediately to the next challenge that I could possibly undertake, that would both stretch me physically and mentally, but also raise money for the cutting edge Gospel work that CAFOD are engaged in with some of the poorest people in the world.
An idea was proposed to undertake an endurance walk, over 24 hours, in an attempt to cover 100km, approximately 62 miles. This will take place on an ancient pilgrimage route over the South Downs Way from Arundel to Winchester. We will start at midday on Saturday 30 April at Devil's Dyke, near Arundel, and we hope to end around midday on Sunday 1 May (at Winchester).
From the few training walks that I have done so far, I truly believe that this will be a tougher challenge than the three-Peaks. There will be less opportunity to rest, there won't be the exhilaration of reaching a peak to elate and help spur on, just a relentless slog over 100km.
I am writing these words during the season of Lent when it is customary to give up something as an act of solidarity for those who have very little or nothing. With this challenge, I propose to do something extra as a gesture of solidarity. It is an adventure that I am looking forward to and if together we can raise money for some of the poorest people in the world, then I am prepared to experience a little discomfort myself, to help those for whom daily life is one of unrelenting hardship and suffering!
