Walking Bede's Way for Christian Aid
15/06/2009
On Saturday 6th June, around 150 people joined Bishop Tom for the 12 mile scenic walk between St. Peter’s Church at Monkwearmouth, Sunderland and St. Paul’s Church, Jarrow.
This is the 'Bede’s Way Walk' and the purpose was to raise money for Christian Aid’s education projects around the world.
These two historic buildings form the twin Anglo-Saxon monastery of Wearmouth-Jarrow and are the UK nomination for World Heritage Site status in 2010. Many walkers signed the Books of Life at each monastery, pledging support for this nomination.
While grey clouds loomed heavy in the morning, walkers were rewarded in their optimism by sunshine and blue skies for most of the day. Before she set off, Ann Derrington from South Shields said: "I'm looking forward to enjoying the scenery along the walk, particularly the fabulous panoramic views from Cleadon Hills."
Participants varied from regular walkers to others with little walking experience, and the walk had been designed to be reasonably challenging yet manageable for walkers of all abilities.
Brigitte and Anna, both 15 said that the fundraising for educational projects had personal resonance with them. Both still at school, they explained that they were doing the walk as a contribution to helping other people get an education.
The walk was praised by Bishop Tom, who described it as 'significant in both a symbolic and practical way'. He said it was a great to get some exercise in the sunshine and talk to local people. “I’ve always had a high opinion of Christian Aid, what they do and how they do it,” he said, in reference to Christian Aid’s distinctive method of giving aid through partner organisations around the world.
An option of a shorter walk was available, which Nigel Oakley, World Development Officer and father of two, described as 'exercise for the whole family, and for a good cause'. Also on the walk, twins Nathaniel and Adam, aged 9 from St Luke's Hartlepool said their favourite part was seeing ducks and swans. They explained, “We want to support Christian Aid because they help people, so we have raised £65.90.”
Christian Aid are hopeful that the event raised around £10,000 in total for education projects. After the walk, participants enjoyed goody bags with fair-trade chocolate and dried fruit, water provided by AquAid, and free tea and cakes at Bede’s World. The day ended with an optional service in St Paul's Church at which Bishop Tom spoke, giving thanks for the work of Christian Aid and its volunteers in the North East.
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