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In 2015, I walked half of the Camino pilgrimage (French route) to Santiago de Compostela. Then in 2019, I walked the other half to complete this stage of the journey.
However, the real end of the pilgrimage is at Finisterre, the “End of the Earth”, on the Atlantic coast, about 75 miles (ca. 121 km) from Santiago.
After recovering from a knee replacement in 2023, I am now going to complete this journey — Part 3. It's not a huge distance, but is hilly and often has wet and windy weather. And I have a big birthday soon, so it is now or never.
I'll walk independently, and will carry my own pack, finding accommodation along the way.
On Part 2 of the pilgrimage I fundraised for a refugee charity and made £5000.
I'm aiming for £3000 this time.
The money is going to Faith in Action, a charity in Merton borough which gives help and support to homeless single people. I've been a volunteer there for many years.
Faith in Action runs a Drop-In centre, open all year on Wednesdays and Fridays; we welcome about 50–60 guests daily. There is also a Winter Night Shelter providing 12 beds, every night from December to March.
Our guests are rough sleepers or precariously housed, and many have alcohol or drug addictions and mental health issues. We provide hot food, showers, laundry, fresh clothes, advice, help with medical care, housing, and benefit applications. Numbers of homeless people are increasing, especially in London.
Homeless folks do a lot of walking, carrying their few possessions, and frequently don't know where their next meal or bed will come from. I walk from choice, and know that I have a comfortable home to return to. I have enormous respect for anyone who is surviving outdoors without that security.