Ever imagined walking one of the most historic routes in Europe while raising funds for charity?
This September, Self Help Africa Northern Ireland is hosting a 120km walk on The Camino Inglés (English Way) which is the first historic maritime route to Santiago de Compostela.
The pilgrimage was an essential part of life for medieval European Christians when there was a host of routes, both by land and sea, to satisfy the spiritual longings of believers from all over the continent. The walk will begin on Sunday 4 September in Ferrol, with participants expected to raise £2,000 in sponsorship to assist Self Help Africa Northern Ireland’s development programmes in Africa.
Denny Elliott, Head of Self Help Africa Northern Ireland, said:
“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for anyone who has dreamt of walking the Camino. It’s a chance to get some great exercise in a unique and breathtaking setting, an opportunity to meet new people in glorious sunshine and most importantly to raise vital funds for Self Help Africa Northern Ireland.”
The week long walk will take participants from the fishing village of Ferrol, to Neda with views of the estuary of Ria de Ferrol and the town of Neda.
The next stage of the journey will take walkers to the beautiful medieval town of Pontedeume and then on to Betanzos, with a steep climb! The following day is the most challenging and rewarding as it takes in a path through the Galacian landscape of forest trails and fresh avenues. The terrain of As Mariñas.
Next up is a day of walking along quiet country roads and gravel paths with plenty of refreshment stops along the way.
The final stretch is a 17km walk on the Sigueiro to Santiago de Compostela where walkers are encouraged to savour every stride as they reach the city of Santiago and see the unmistakable silhouette of the city’s cathedral ahead.
Self Help Africa is an international development organisation that works through agriculture to end hunger and poverty.
The organisation works in Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Togo, Uganda and Zambia. In 2018, Self Help Africa’s work in Africa supported millions of people to grow more food and earn a better living.
Self Help Africa has been working to end hunger and poverty amongst rural communities in Africa for over 30 years. It seeks to empower local communities with training and knowledge, and to support small-holder farming families to produce more, earn more, and access new markets and better prices for the crops that they grow.
Your participation in this year’s Camino Walk will provide a valuable contribution to the charity’s work.
For further information on the walk and on fundraising activities to help raise your sponsorship, please contact Denny Elliott on tel 07799 346997 or by email at denny.elliott@selfhelpafrica.net.