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Geraldo Santaniello raised £4,620 from 92 supporters
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Closed 04/06/2022
Iʼve raised £4,620 to Support Brain Cancer Research & The Epilepsy Society
- Camino de Santiago
- Funded on Saturday, 4th June 2022
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Story
Another target smashed! Let's get to £4000!
Gerald Santaniello, owner and operator of Pizzeria Santaniello, a Bedford-based family-run business of 40 years, is preparing to embark on a challenging journey across Spain most often referred to as the Camino de Santiago.
Originally a pilgrimage dating back to the early 9th century, the Camino de Santiago consists of a large network of ancient pilgrim routes stretching across Europe which join together at the tomb of St James in Santiago de Compostela, north-west Spain. Every year hundreds of thousands of people walk the same routes forged over a thousand years ago, often to raise much-needed funds for charitable causes.
At 70 years old, Gerald will be tackling the final 120-mile portion of the pilgrimage in an effort to raise money for both The Epilepsy Society and the medical research charity Brain Tumour Research following his friend, Eddie Adams’ traumatic brain tumour battle.
The walk is expected to span a total of six days, requiring Gerald to walk a mammoth 20 miles each day starting April 5, with his only respite at night at marked stages along the journey.
As a relative newcomer to walking long distances, Gerald is currently in training, venturing around Bedfordshire in an effort to prepare himself for the challenge ahead.
He said: “I’ve never done any walking so I’m not going straight into it. I’m doing a little bit of training, a few miles each day building up to April. I had a bad back over Christmas so only started walking in mid-January but I’m already up to five or six miles from just one or two.
“I’m going to do one big walk of 15-18 miles before I go and, once I’ve done that, I’ll know I can do it. Plus, when I’m there the adrenaline will kick in and push me along, I’m sure. I’ve got the determination and know I’ll get it done for Eddie and other brain tumour patients.”
Eddie, a passionate Brain Tumour Research campaigner who, as a drag queen, came third in the reality TV show Ru Paul’s Drag Race in 2015, was diagnosed with a grade 3 anaplastic astrocytoma after suffering a seizure in August 2017. He was 29 years-old and given a prognosis of three to five years.
He underwent an awake craniotomy and a subsequent surgery to remove part of his skull after he developed a life-threatening infection, which left him with a misshapen head and permanent hair loss. He went on to have radiotherapy and chemotherapy before making the difficult decision to cease treatment so that he could enjoy the time he had left.
Gerald, a father-of-four who will be joined on the Camino de Santiago by two friends, said:
“Eddie went to school with my children and his father is my best friend. I’ve seen him grow up and he’s part of my gang.
“He’s an exceptional character and so full of life, even in the situation he finds himself in he’s such fun to be with. It’s so sad to see what this illness is inflicting on him and I know there are lots of others like him around the country. I think with him and them in mind we’ll push ourselves hard.”
Brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer yet historically just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease.
Updates
4
- 3 years ago
Geraldo Santaniello
3 years agoMISSION COMPLETE! What an experience! After an amazing few days of walking, we completed the Camino de Santiago! Thank you to all who have supported me along the way and helped raise money for two amazing causes!
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- 3 years ago
Geraldo Santaniello
3 years agoWe've arrived in Sarria safely! Just stocking up on carbs before an early night! The journey kicks off tomorrow morning! Wish us luck!
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- 3 years ago
Geraldo Santaniello
3 years agoWOW! We've beaten another target! Let's try and get to £4000! Thank you to everyone who has donated so far! Let's get this page shared and try and get to the next milestone! Training is going really well! Am grateful for everyone's kind words of encouragement and those that have walked with me too! Not long to go until we kick-off! Less than a week to go!
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Geraldo Santaniello started crowdfunding
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Supporters
92
Rachel Volpe
May 25, 2022
You are both (Geraldo and Eddie) a true inspiration! Best wishes
Gerardo Santaniello & Family
May 19, 2022
Thank you to everyone for your support, donations, and kind words of encouragement! The walk was very tough but thoroughly enjoyed it. All the money we've raised will go to two amazing causes!
£313.00
Geraldo Santaniello
May 19, 2022
Offline donations collected at the Pizzeria
£700.00
Anonymous
Apr 29, 2022
£30.00
Paul
Apr 24, 2022
Well done Gerald!
£30.00
Anonymous
Apr 23, 2022
Lydia Billington
Apr 22, 2022
Well done Gerald!!! You’re an inspiration and it’s an amazing achievement - I can’t wait to hear all about it when we next meet. Lots of love!
£10.00
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