A host of stars including TV’s Dermot O’Leary, England international Sue Smith, ITV’s Julie Etchingham and Voice finalist Adeniké Adewale are supporting CAFOD’s 40-day ‘Big Lent Walk’ challenge, which gets underway on Wednesday 5 March.
Individuals, schools and parishes are committing to walk, run or swim 200km over 40 days to raise much-needed funds for CAFOD’s vital work tackling poverty worldwide.
In a video message shared on his Instagram account Dermot O’Leary encouraged all those taking part in the effort to make a better world for all of us.
Along with other big names, he’s backing the charity’s big Lent fundraising challenge, along with thousands of Catholic supporters in the UK, in what organisers hope will be a record-breaking Jubilee year.
ITV newsreader and journalist, Julie Etchingham has already signed up and told us:
"I'm very excited to be taking part in CAFOD's Lent fundraising campaign again this year. After doing the Big Walk for Water with my son in 2021, The Big Lent Walk is a bigger challenge with 200km in 40 days - but either by runs or walks I'm determined to crack it! It'll be great to do it alongside thousands of Catholics in parishes and schools across the country, all in solidarity with communities all around the world who are showing huge resilience in the face of poverty, injustice and inequality. I've seen first-hand the work of CAFOD's partners overseas - and know the money raised will save and change lives. Why not sign up too and we can cheer each other on towards Easter?"
Former English football legend and Sky Sports pundit Sue Smith has also committed to the challenge, and is wasting no time as she plans to cover the distance by running it. Putting her skills as a professional athlete towards the cause, Sue has also recorded some fitness tips learned during her footballing career, including warm-up drills and stretches, in a YouTube video to be shared with the hundreds of schools taking part.
Sue remembers fundraising for CAFOD herself as a schoolgirl and said she was inspired to see so many children taking part - already more than 550 schools have signed up to take on the challenge, representing thousands of children and young people. The Jubilee 2025 – Year of Hope is a big year for the Catholic church, and more schools than ever are taking part in Big Lent Walk.
Sue said:
"I'm delighted to be taking part in CAFOD's Big Lent Walk this year. I've supported CAFOD since I was at school and have fond memories of doing sponsored activities to help raise money. This year, I'm excited to get moving, run the distance, and support such an important cause—helping to fight global poverty while standing in solidarity with our sisters and brothers around the world as we work together for a fairer, more just world."
Other CAFOD ambassadors, including Waterstones Children’s Laureate Frank Cottrell-Boyce, broadcaster Bobby Seagull, singer-songwriter Adeniké Adewale and actor Alex Macqueen are backing the campaign, which aims to raise over £400,000 to fund vital projects in communities across the world fighting poverty and injustice.
Hundreds of individuals and parishes have already registered on CAFOD’s website, and there’s still time to join in the fun!
Every £1 raised will support communities around the world in fulfilling their potential. Supporters will be helping people like Lokho, an incredible mum from Kenya, who is sharing her story of resilience and hope. Lokho and her young family survived a devasting drought lasting over 40 months. Her family lost everything. When the rain finally came, she began working with CAFOD to rebuild her life.
Notes for editors
For more information or interview requests, please contact:
Rosalind Mayfield, CAFOD Media Officer
+44 (0)7856 799169
Jo Rogers
+44 (0)7969 083371
CAFOD’s out-of-hours media line
+44 (0)7919 301429
Click these links to see video messages from Dermot O’Leary and Sue Smith and other CAFOD ambassadors including Adeniké Adawale, Frank Cottrell-Boyce, Alex McQueen, and Bobby Seagull. Sue Smith’s warm-up video is available here. Photos of Lokho and her family in Kenya are available on request.
The Big Lent Walk can be completed by walking, running or swimming - anytime and anywhere during Lent. Steps on the school run, logging lengths of the pool or measuring miles on a stroll to the park or parish church – all counts towards the goal of 200km.
Individuals signing up will get a wallchart and a pair of special purple laces, and – if they raise over £200 – they’ll also receive a Big Lent Walk tote bag.
Schools and communities can request an organiser's pack when they register on the CAFOD website. More information is available at walk.cafod.org.uk.
CAFOD is the official aid agency of the Catholic Church in England and Wales, and part of Caritas Internationalis, working with communities across Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America to fight poverty and injustice, including those worst hit by climate change. The agency works with people in need, regardless of race, gender, religion or nationality.
Join the 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!