Just Walk is the 60km event on 9 May, taking in theWest Sussexcountryside. Starting at Goodwood Race course, the route goes through Arundel, Amberley, then climbing up Bignor Hill onto the South Downs Way before it returns to Goodwood.
Training for the walk has been slow to start with since there have been quite a few bugs around recently. I’ll now step up a gear to get ready, hoping the warmer and drier weather is going to continue. On the training program are still a 36 mile weekend in Wales and a walking week in Bavaria. Hills are a bit short in supply around Warwickshire, so training in Wales andBavaria should get that sorted.
This will be the second time I’ll be doing this walk, so it’s not quite as daunting as the first time. This time, though, to make it more challenging there is the time of 10.5 hours from the previous 60k to beat!
I’ll be raising money for Miraz, the pilgrim hostel being developed by the Confraternity of St James. It’s located inNorthern Spainon the Camino del Norte, one of the early pilgrim routes to Santiago de Compostela, and it provides shelter for pilgrims in a remote and sparsely populated area. Pilgrims walk or cycle from as far afield as thePyrenees orNorthern Europe. Our volunteer wardens welcome them, give them overnight lodging, breakfast, and other support.
Since the CSJ took on Miraz a lot of work has been done. New showers and toilets have been fitted, a new well installed, comfortable bunk beds set up, everything decorated, a new footpath created, …The next phase aims to expand the building to increase the number of pilgrims that can be accommodated, as demand has grown steadily. During the summer there is a frequent shortage of beds and even floor space, never mind the lack of toilet facilities. We’re awaiting planning permission for the extension and conversion of the main building. So far we’ve raised over £80k of the original £100k target, your donation will therefore help to bring this target a step closer.
Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Confraternity of Saint James gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.So please sponsor me now!
If you’d like to know more about Miraz, the Camino, and the pilgrimage toSantiagoin general, look us up on www.csj.org.uk.
Look up www.just-walk.co.uk if you would like to find out more about the 60km challenge.
Thank you for your support!
