This month, a team from Emmaus Coventry & Warwickshire will take part in the inspiring 450-mile Walk of Kindness, a fundraising event raising awareness of homelessness and rough sleeping.
The event, organised by Emmaus Norfolk & Waveney, began earlier this month at St David’s in Wales and will stretch all the way to Norfolk. The Norfolk team (pictured), including residents Chloe, Carlton, Peter, and Jagger, are walking 10 miles a day for six weeks to highlight the issue of homelessness.
Starting Friday 20 September, our team of staff and people being supported by the charity, will join the Norfolk team for a two-day trek through Warwickshire. The group will hike from Snitterfield, passing through Warwick and Royal Leamington Spa, before continuing on to Leamington Hastings the following day.
The Walk of Kindness aims to raise awareness about rising levels of homelessness across the country and to generate much-needed funds to help more individuals rebuild their lives with Emmaus.
Falishia Channer, Community Leader at Emmaus Coventry & Warwickshire, will be joining the team on this fundraising hike. She explains the significance of the event:
“Walking together like this is about more than just covering miles – it’s about bringing people together who’ve been through similar struggles and showing that we’re united in our fight against homelessness. The Walk of Kindness is our way of saying that we’re here to support each other, and we believe that together, we can make real, lasting change. Everyone deserves a place to call home, and this walk is a step towards making that a reality.”
The walk follows the Via Beata pilgrimage route and will conclude in Ditchingham, South Norfolk, on World Homeless Day – Thursday 10 October. Emmaus Norfolk & Waveney aims to raise £360,000 during the walk to help open a new social enterprise Bed and Breakfast, which will create sustainable income and work opportunities for those they support.
Chloe, one of the Norfolk residents walking the full 450 miles, shared her personal experience of homelessness:
“Before Emmaus, I wasn’t living, I was just existing. I started drinking at the age of 11 and it all spiralled from there. All I could think about was getting the next drink. I lost track of days and hours and eventually ended up living in my car. I’ve got a home now at Emmaus, I’ve got a bed, I’ve got people and family – everyone at Emmaus has become my family.
“I’m really looking forward to the walk. I want to give back to the place that’s given me so much. It will be amazing to meet people from Emmaus in Coventry to hear their stories and work together to ensure other people don’t have to experience what we’ve been through”
Emmaus Coventry & Warwickshire encourages the public to get involved by sponsoring the walkers or taking on their own Kindness challenges. Together, we can help more people move out of homelessness and into safe, stable homes.
For more information or to sponsor the walkers, visit Emmaus Norfolk & Waveney’s Walk of Kindness page.