Walking with Purpose

If you follow my blog you’ll know that I’m embarking on yet another adventure in the autumn; this time walking 1128km across Spain.   I will be starting in Seville and walking north towards Santiago de Compostella.  And after, onwards and westwards to the end of the world… otherwise known as Fisterra and Muxia on the Atlantic Coast.

On my previous Caminos, I’ve often wondered if I should try to raise money whilst I walk;  over the last year a few things happened that made me feel that this time I should.  There are two charities in particular that I would like to raise funds for (actually in reality, there are a great many… but I’ve chosen two).

My fabulous cousin recently learned that her equally fabulous grand-daughter had been diagnosed with Leukaemia.  Grace is being treated on Ward E39, a specialist children’s cancer unit in Nottingham’s QMC Hospital.  I asked them if I could walk on their behalf and if so, what charity would they nominate. They chose Ward E39… which seems absolutely the best choice!

My second charity is chosen on behalf of an amazing young man who, for just a little while lost his way and then sadly lost his life. However, his spirit was so amazing that he continues to move people like me to want to do something… So I walk to raise money on behalf of Chris and for the Samaritans… who in turn will help others who lost their way.

Those who know me, will know that I like to be a little different and so I’m not simply asking for donations.

I recently read a book by Ailsa Piper, an Australian author who walked a similar path to me, and who offered to carry people’s sins to Santiago and to St James.  Her ideas struck a chord with me; what a great idea!  And it got me thinking that maybe I could follow in her footsteps… you can find out more about her walk here  http://ailsapiper.com/?page_id=16

If the idea of your sins isn’t your thing then maybe instead I can carry your burdens, your worries, your hopes, your fears or your dreams, aspirations and wishes.  I will walk with them  across Spain and deliver them to St James… or if you prefer a more spiritual home,  then I’ll walk them under the stars to the end of the world at Muxia.

This idea of absolution by proxy isn’t new.  In the Middle Ages, wealthier Catholics would happily nominate a serf to walk on their behalf,  to wash away their sins at the home of the Apostle… so the precedent already exists.  I’ve adapted it a little to including not just sins… it feels a little more appropriate in 2016.

So I’m not asking for sponsorship with nothing in return.  I’m offering you a service and in return I ask that you make a donation via my JustGiving page.  There is no fixed amount… just pay what you feel my services are worth to you… and in doing so you’ll be giving equally to The Children’s Oncology ward at QMC and The Samaritans.

To enlist my services it’s pretty simple. Visit my JustGiving page and donate what you feel is a suitable fee… but make sure you include your email address (you can do this anonymously).  I will then email you with instructions on how to send me your information privately … it’s really that easy!

Of course… if you’d rather just donate then that’s fine too!

 You can find out more about Ward E39 here http://nottinghamhospitalscharity.org.uk/news/unveiling-of-new-wards-refurbished-by-the-charity/ on the Nottingham Hosptial Charity Website and here https://www.teenagecancertrust.org/get-help/how-we-can-help/our-units/queen%E2%80%99s-medical-centre-nottingham on the Teenage Cancer Trust website.  This page is great for showing how your money can be spent https://www.teenagecancertrust.org/support-us/donate

You can also find out more about the fabulous work of The Samaritans here http://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help-you

Help me raise lots of money…. I’m walking 1128 km and it would be great to know that this was converted into pounds… so please share this with anyone and everyone.

 *** Here’s my JustGiving page link
https://crowdfunding.justgiving.com/Colleens-Camino ***