Joanna McIntyre - Walk500 Miles for The Big C
Joanna McIntyre is raising money for Big C
In memory of Patricia Berriman
Story
In May I will embark on a new, exciting and challenging journey by walking 500 miles on the Camino de Santiago from the Pyrenees in France across the North of Spain to Santiago de Compostela, all in aid of the Big C independent Cancer Charity. I hope to raise a considerable amount for this fantastic Norfolk Charity which provides support, funding, world-class research, care and services for people affected by cancer in our local communities. Big C funds ground-breaking research into fighting cancer at UEA (University of East Anglia) as well as paying for support and vital life-saving equipment. Big C's Cancer Support and Information Centres are based at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital and in Great Yarmouth and are currently raising money for more centres around Norfolk and the Waveney Valley.
Not long ago my mother died of cancer, having already lost my father about 20 years ago to heart disease. It was a terrible blow and I saw first hand what this awful disease can do to a loved one. Whilst clearing my parents house I came across a number of books on Santiago de Compostela and 'the Pilgrimage Walk' called the Camino de Frances together with a collection of newspaper cuttings and a small silver box with a scallop shell on, which she had given me as a present after a visit to the Cathedral at Santiago about 15 years ago. I am convinced that it was something which my mother would have loved to have done herself……so I am walking in her memory and very much hope that everyone will be generous in supporting me to achieve my challenge and to raise funds for the Big C.
For over a thousand years, the Camino de Santiago has been an important Christian pilgrimage since way back in medieval times. It is said that the remains of the apostle Saint James (one of the Twelve Apostles) are buried here in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, legend has it that St.James's remains were carried by boat from Jerusalem to northern Spain where he was buried on the site of what is now the city of Santiago de Compostela. On the routes you will find pilgrims carrying their walking sticks and hanging proudly on their backpacks, a scallop shell. This shell is a symbol that represents the Camino de Santiago and is seen as a metaphor for the pilgrimage, where the grooves in the shell coming together at a single point represents the various routes pilgrims travel arriving at a single destination of the tomb of St. James in the Cathedral. Thousands of people set out on the Camino each year for many different reasons, not necessarily for religious reasons or spiritual reasons. There are many who make the walk in order to literally and figuratively find "their way" maybe to find themselves or perhaps to gain a better understanding and appreciation for the value and simplicity of life. The answer lies within each of us as we make our own personal journey. I am very excited about the journey that I am going to make and where it will lead me. I am extremely grateful to have the opportunity to walk the Camino and hope that you will all be generous and donate to the Big C either via my justgiving page or direct to one of our Musker McIntyre offices throughout Norfolk and Suffolk.
I will be keeping in touch via a Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/Walk500
and will keep everyone updated on my progress.
As they say in Spain….Buen Camino!
Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.
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