Emmaus Preston is appealing for people to step into the shoes of a homeless person and donate to a sponsored 21-mile walk around Preston Guild Wheel.
According to research, people who are homeless walk in excess of 10 miles each day on average, looking for food, a safe place to sleep or to escape abuse.
The money raised from the walk will help provide a home, welfare support and the opportunity to rebuild lost confidence and self-esteem with the focus of work each day at Emmaus Preston’s three new and secondhand stores in the city.
One of the people supported by the charity, Shaun, used to live in a tent in a place where he went fishing, when he became homeless following a battle with addiction and the breakdown of a relationship.
His daughter Makenziee Wells has organised the walk for Sunday 17th July to raise money for Emmaus, which supports her dad with the focus of work each day, welfare help and accommodation.
“Keep your support coming”
Shaun said: “I’m so proud of Makenziee. Keep your support coming. Homelessness is an ongoing thing. All the money you spend at the shops goes back to Emmaus, which keeps us going as we don’t get government or council grants or handouts.
“If you can do something, do something for Emmaus as whatever you do or give it won’t be wasted and I promise it will make a real difference to people’s lives.”
According to Lancashire County Council, Preston reported the highest number of people seeking accommodation from homelessness out of its 12 local authorities for 2020/21. Preston recorded 422 households for three-quarters of the year, while in Blackpool the figure was 788 for the whole year.
What your donations support
Director Stephen Buchanan said: “At Emmaus Preston we work to address physical and mental health issues, as well as the reasons people have become homeless or at risk of homelessness in the first place. We help people access the right healthcare, which can include support from onsite counselling facilities.
“We hope this walk will raise awareness of what life is like for someone who is homeless, while raising money to help provide a safe and caring place for people who are homeless or at risk. At Emmaus Preston people can find a home for as long as is needed until they feel ready to move on, with our support every step of the way.
“A big thank you again to Makenziee Wells who has organised the walk for us and will be leading it for the third year running!”
To donate to the walk in aid of Emmaus Preston please give what you can via the charity’s Just Giving page at www.justgiving.com/campaign/GuildWheelSponsoredWalk. The page will also remain open for anyone wishing to give, after the event.
To give to the people supported by Emmaus Preston, please click the Donate Now button on our website.