We help people carry their burden.

This year, DePaul is running its annual Weighted Walk, raising money and awareness for homelessness and the work Depaul does supporting people who need it.

The idea is simple: go for a walk carrying some extra weight.

DePaul suggest around 3–5kg.

I'm not doing that.

I'm a support worker with DePaul in Dungannon, and I've decided to take the idea a little more literally.

In support work, we meet people carrying burdens. Sometimes those burdens have become too much to carry alone. Our job isn't necessarily to take that burden away, but to help carry it, lighten it where we can, and support that person until they're able to carry more of it themselves.

So on 24th October, I'll be carrying 70kg — the equivalent bodyweight of the oldest person currently using our service.

I'll start at the bandstand in Dungannon Park and carry a 70kg sandbag through Windmill Wood and uphill into Dungannon, finishing at DePaul.

It's roughly 2.3 miles.

I've spent most of my life training and getting stronger. Strength, though, isn't particularly useful if it's only ever used for yourself.

Those with strength can help those carrying too much.

That's what this walk represents.

70kg is fucking heavy.

2.3 miles is a long way to carry it.

I'm genuinely not certain how this is going to go.

Which is probably why it's worth sponsoring.

Every donation goes towards Depaul's work supporting people affected by homelessness.

We help people carry their burden.

On October 24th, I'm going to do exactly that.