This November, students from St Mary’s Catholic Primary School and St Mary Magdalene’s Catholic Primary School will be walking together in a Pilgrimage of Hope! A sponsored walk along Brighton seafront to support Off The Fence, a local charity working to resist poverty, empower people, and restore hope across our city.

Throughout the journey, our chaplaincy group of students will take time to pause and reflect, praying with pipe cleaners for people they care about, writing what they’re thankful for on sticky notes, and walking a stretch in silence to remember those whose voices go unheard.

This act of walking together is our way of saying: we see you, we stand with you, and we believe HOPE can be restored.

Why We’re Walking:

Off The Fence works every day with people in Brighton and Hove who are struggling with homelessness, mental health, addictions, and things that perpetuate a cycle of poverty for people.

Their three programmes bring hope in practical and personal ways:

💙 Antifreeze Homelessness Centre – offers showers, warm food, clothing, and support, with 563 people supported last year.

💜 Gateway Women’s Centre – supported 183 women facing crisis, helping them rebuild confidence, health, and purpose.

💛 Schools & Youth Programme – reached over 17,000 student contact points, including mentoring young people through challenges and inspiring them to grow in hope.

Every pound we raise will go directly to support these programmes.

Our Challenge & Your Invitation:

We know times are tough, but generosity has never been about how much we give, it’s about giving together.

If every family, friend, or neighbour gave even £5, or if workplaces matched donations, our small gifts would grow into something extraordinary.

A gift of £20 can support one person for a week across our Antifreeze, Gateway, or Schools & Youth programmes. That could mean:

- A hot shower, clean clothes, and a safe space to rest.

- A mentoring session helping a young person find hope for their future.

- A women’s workshop where confidence and community are rebuilt.

Every person deserves dignity, safety, and hope, and your generosity helps make that possible.

And if you can’t give financially, please consider praying for those supported by Off The Fence, sharing our page, or simply smiling at someone who needs it today because kindness itself is a gift.

Together, we walk for hope. Together, we create community.

We invite you to support the pilgrims of hope, our students, staff, and families, as they walk for those on a different kind of journey.

Let’s build a Brighton & Hove where everyone has a reason to HOPE again.