A group of local business people (and one dog) plan take the idea of a 'sponsored walk for charity' to a new level next month when they attempt to walk 34 miles from Farnham to Winchester in a single day, from sunrise to sunset, on Saturday September 10th.
The intrepid walkers will follow St Swithun's Way, a way-marked route along country footpaths all the way from Farnham to Winchester Cathedral, in an effort to raise £5,000 - £10,000 for Trinity Winchester, the local charity that supports people who are homeless or vulnerably housed
Phil Wilding is leading the party, which includes representatives from Wilding Butler Construction, Studio Four Architects, The Construction Partnership and TJP Solutions - as well as Biggles the Cocker Spaniel of course!
Phil said: "I am not a walker and have never done anything like this before. I have been in training for several months and although it will be challenging, I am really looking forward to it!"
Trinity Winchester is the Hampshire based charity that provides practical and emotional support to people who are homeless or vulnerably housed. Our aim is to promote positive fulfilling lifestyles, emotional wellbeing and long-term changes for those experiencing the effects of homelessness, substance misuse, mental ill-health, poverty, domestic violence, unemployment and social isolation.
Trinity Winchester provides the basics; including hot meals, clothing, washing facilities and a contact address, as well as opportunities to make positive long-term changes through counselling and learning. We support service users to take positive steps towards change as individuals and as part of the wider community.
Trinity Winchester operates a drop-in day service in Winchester which includes a Women's Service and a drop-in day service in Basingstoke. Trinity Winchester works closely alongside other local organisations and services, including the Winchester Churches Night Shelter (a separate charity which provides overnight accommodation for people who are homeless in Winchester) to provide help and support to people in Hampshire who are homeless and vulnerably housed.
Local MP Steve Brine, who has a close relationship with Trinity, said: "I really wish Biggles and all his fellow walkers the very best, not least for some pleasant weather- a challenging walk in an excellent cause!"
Pictured; Steve and Popcorn join Trinity's Michelle Gardner at the Winchester centre
More information...
To donate to Trinity in support of Biggles and his team of walkers, go to www.trinitywinchester.org.uk/walk
You can also 'join' the walkers along their 34-mile route from sunrise on September 10th by following the Twitter hashtag #trinitywalk.