Six intrepid walkers from across the Archdiocese of Birmingham are off to Spain to raise money for the Saint Vincent de Paul Society (SVP).

They are all walking over 100 kilometres of the Camino (a major Christian pilgrimage route) in a period of six days converging on Santiago de Compostela on Friday 17 April for the Pilgrim's Mass.

They are part of a national SVP group of over 50 SVP members taking part.

The Diocesan walking team are: Tony McGuigan from Holy Cross conference Walmley, Sutton Coldfield; Teresa Leese, Richard Fernandes and Clare O'Brien from Saint Nicholas conference Boldmere, Sutton Coldfield; Celia Deane Drummond and Henry Curtis from Corpus Christi conference Headington, Oxford.

Why are we all doing this?

Tony completed the final stage of the Via Francigena to Rome in September last year starting off at Montefiascone and then on Day Six walking into the Vatican in Rome. The total walk was 122km over six days and a total of 213,000 steps! 

He wasn’t fundraising on that walk, but felt he needed to do another walk, this time for a charity. Given he has been an SVP volunteer for over 20 years the opportunity to do another walk so soon after and in a different country for this great charity made it a must! Whilst it will be a challenge, again its one he’s very much looking forward to so monies can be raised to help families and people in most need across the whole of our Archdiocese.

Richard enjoys hiking and is passionate about helping people in need. By walking the Camino he is enjoying himself doing both.

Teresa is doing this as her retirement project.

Clare is looking forward to a demanding but simple week with time to reflect and pray, away from emails and phones. The chance to combine that with raising money for the SVP, with which she has volunteered for 30 years, was too good to miss.

Henry and Celia have walked from their home to Southampton on the new St James Way. They arrived at God’s tower in Southampton muddy and tired after a 15-mile walk on St David's Day. They started the 175-kilometre leg of their total walk to Santiago from their house over two months ago fitting this in over their Saturdays or weekends. The beautiful churches and opportunities for prayer along the way have kept them going along with knowing that their efforts will go to help others in need. They will then follow Camino Ingles from Ferrol. The total distance they will walk will be over 300k.

Please donate to the sponsored walk if you are able to, thank you.

The SVP is a nationwide Catholic front-line charity, dedicated to tackling poverty and supporting individuals and families facing loneliness, hardship, and the many challenges that life can bring. We are part of a larger international Catholic network that strives to find and help those in need, regardless of belief or background.

Our approach is practical and non-judgemental, supporting those in need, whether they require a second chance or just a friendly helping hand. Each year we reach over 80,000 people in communities across England and Wales. This support includes material and practical assistance, as well as visiting and befriending.

We have over 9,000 volunteers throughout England and Wales and your generous donation will support work within the Birmingham Archdiocese and wider national SVP activities, which includes our Community Support Centres, overseas work, children's Summer Camps, and more.

Find out more about the SVP

*All costs to travel have been met by the walkers and any donation received will be received in full by the Society.

Photograph, top to bottom, l-r: Tony, Teresa, Celia and Henry, Richard, Clare.