The moment has finally come, we are just days away from setting off on the pilgrimage of a lifetime. A team of walkers from our community, Chloe, Carlton, Jagger & Peter, alongside our CEO Cecile are walking from the west coast of Wales to the east coast of Norfolk.
The team are walking 450 miles over 6 weeks to support more people out of homelessness and to raise crucial funds to open a social enterprise B&B on our site.
The pilgrimage follows the path of the newly formed Via Beata, and the team are starting the journey on Monday 26th August and will be returning to our charity’s home on Thursday 10th October – World Homeless Day.
Chloe, Carlton, Jagger & Peter have all received support from our charity and now they want to help people who are without a home. The money raised from this epic fundraising walk will help us open a 23-bedroom Bed and Breakfast by transforming and renovating the former nun’s cells in the upstairs of our convent site.
The B&B will enable our charity to grow and support more people. Once open, the annual income from one B&B room will provide someone who has experienced homelessness with a home and support package in our community for a whole year.
Chloe, one of our companions & member of our Emmaus walking team is embarking on the full 450 mile route. She shares “Before Emmaus, I wasn’t living, I was just existing. I started drinking at the age of 11 and it all spiralled from there. I became homeless and slept in my car for months. I’ve got a home at Emmaus now, 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. I was to learn lots along the way from the people we meet, reflect on the past few years of my life and raise lots of money.”
Cecile Roberts, CEO of Emmaus Norfolk & Waveney, is also taking on the Walk of Kindness and says: “The Bed and Breakfast is going to transform the work we can do at Emmaus, we’ll be able to offer more diverse training and work opportunities for existing companions and have the income to welcome new people into our community and out of homelessness.
“The Walk of Kindness is going to be a really special journey. I think The Walk of Kindness is something we all need now, when more of us are experiencing loneliness, isolation and mental health issues. We’d love to see the public join our tribe by taking part in our fundraising challenges and coming together to support our companions along the way!”
We’ve already been blown away by the support customers, donors and friends of the charity have shown us. We’re delighted that we have so far raised £15,200 towards our target. Chloe, Carlton, Jagger & Peter would love for you to get involved in The Walk of Kindness.
You can get involved by sponsoring every mile we walk, joining a virtual walking challenge or taking part in our Lowestoft to Ditchingham walk.