This Lent, thousands of people across England and Wales are lacing up their walking boots for CAFOD's Big Lent Walk – a challenge to walk 200km in 40 days to bring life-saving water to communities around the world.
Here, we meet four more inspiring walkers: a UCM group with an impressive track record, a five-year-old eco-warrior with a heart of gold, a parish priest who knows the power of a good walk, and a new mum finding faith and fitness together.
Pictured: Josie, Veronica, Marion, Catherine, Claire and Maureen. Photo taken by Carol
Outside St Joseph's Church in Castleford, the Union of Catholic Mothers group paused for a photo before heading out on their Lenten walk. For Josie, Veronica, Marion, Catherine, Claire, Maureen and Carol, they walk to help bring life-saving water to communities who need it most.
Last Lent, the group proved what collective effort can achieve. "Last year St Joseph's UCM collectively walked 300,000 steps raising £300 to support the work of CAFOD," they say. That's no small feat — and they're not stopping there.
"Once again, as we celebrate the season of Lent, St Joseph's UCM will be stepping out to raise much needed funds to support the work of CAFOD and those communities around the world less fortunate than ourselves."
The group also meet after their walk for tea and toast or coffee and croissants. With a tasty, warming treat waiting at the end, they've got the perfect reason to keep putting one foot in front of the other.
Erin, age 5, taking on the Big Lent Walk
If you needed proof that you're never too young to care about the world, look no further than Erin. At just five years old, she has grasped that clean water is life-giving, and not everyone has it.
When asked why she's taking on the Big Walk, Erin didn't hesitate:
"I get clean water from the sink, and some of these girls are walking and walking and walking to get water and it's not even clean. That's not fair. I'm collecting money for 40 days to make sure they get clean water."
She's been clocking up the kilometres with her mum, dad and baby brother Ruairi - taking in their village, a walk past some very vocal cows, the shops, and a lake. And in true eco-warrior fashion (Erin's official title at school), she's been picking up litter along the way too.
The response from sponsors has moved her: "It's really cool that even people I don't know have been giving money. It means it's working. Thank you."
And on the scale of the challenge ahead? "It's going to be a very very very long way. But I really want to do it to give people the clean water."
Canon Gary has three very good reasons for taking on the Big Lent Walk:
"To highlight within the parish and further afield the call upon all of us to be mindful and support the work of CAFOD and all who seek to make the world a more loving place," he explains. "Of course, not every parishioner can or does walk, but there is something of a buzz when the weekly combined figure is announced and this only keeps the idea of almsgiving in Lent in the front of people's minds."
As someone who mainly cycles, Canon Gary also values what a good walk can offer that even time in the saddle can't: "It is good for you. I mainly cycle but occasionally a good walk blows out the cobwebs that even cycling cannot touch."
But perhaps his most persuasive reason is the third: the community that walking builds. "We have found that organised parish walks throughout the year but especially in Lent are great ways of building community. As we walk around local scenic areas friendships are made and deepened, names are learnt and remembered and a meaningful church community is built and enhanced."
There's also, he notes, a practical bonus: "Besides which we often finish in a local pub which is the icing on the cake."
Immy with her daughter
For Immy, this Lent holds special significance - it's her first as a mum, and she's determined to mark it with something meaningful. When she saw the advertisements for the Big Lent Walk, she knew straightaway it was the right fit.
"I was so in awe by the charitable work that CAFOD do and I knew that I wanted to get involved," she says. "Not only are we able to raise funding to get people in need life-saving water but it would be a perfect way to get out with my daughter and keep motivated through my faithful community."
Good luck to Immy for the rest of her Big Lent Walk!
Sign up for CAFOD’s Big Lent Walk and challenge yourself to walk 200km in 40 days. You can sign up as an individual, parish or school!
