I am embarking on “virtual pilgrimage” to raise money for the St John of Jerusalem Eye Hospital Group: over the coming months I will walk the equivalent of the on-foot journey from Ipswich to Jerusalem, minus the boat crossing of course.

As this journey is likely to take well over a year, please consider making your donation recurring.

If you would like me to give your group a talk about this project, or for any other enquiries, please reach out here: https://forms.gle/ZZNKAyfzqYBXWiwt8

My Story

As a long-time volunteer for another St John charity, I have been shaped by the ethos of the Order, both in my personal and professional life. I am starting this journey not just to raise money in the service of “our masters the sick and the poor”, but also as an act of thanksgiving for all that I have learnt and become over the years by being steeped in this tradition.

I have also been driven towards the Eye Hospital specifically because my wife and our toddler were both born with a visual impairment, and experiencing parts of their healthcare journey has made me much more mindful of the importance of access to high quality eye medical care, and what an impact it has on everyday life.

I will be posting regular updates showing the distance travelled, and what my view would be if I was really going across Europe, plus any real-life photos should I walk somewhere particularly interesting!

About the Hospital

The Eye Hospital is the oldest and largest charitable provider of expert eye care in the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem, and has been providing outpatient, specialist, and 24-hour emergency care to the people regardless of race, religion, or ability to pay. Its journey began in 1882 under Queen Victoria, and has been serving the people as part of the Venerable Order of St John ever since.