Rachael & Warren
Keep up the hard work Mike!
Keep up the hard work Mike!
Good you do this :-)
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Mike's on a hike.
+ £7.50 Gift Aid
Good luck.Enjoy the adventure
Wow, what an amazing challenge, we know you can do it xx
You're making a difference
+ £5.00 Gift Aid
Good luck buddy
+ £5.00 Gift Aid
Good luck Mike
+ £2.50 Gift Aid
Good luck! Enjoy your trip xx
+ £2.50 Gift Aid
Awesome! Good luck Mike.
We are a not-for-profit care home and independent living scheme for older people in Norwich. Established in 1952, we were founded upon the Christian ethos of community and caring for one another, which continues to underpin everything we do today. We are home to people of all faiths and none, and support older people to have rich and fulfilled later lives - not only our residents and tenants, but the wider local area through our community outreach projects.
Event dates: –
Mike, a tenant at our independent living scheme Brakendon Close, will be hiking around 1000km across Northern Spain this April, following the traditional pilgrimage routes of the Camino Frances and Camino del Norte.
For centuries, pilgrims from all over the world have trekked the Camino routes across Europe as a journey for mind, body and soul. Mike - who has completed different Camino routes previously and is a keen walker and former rock climber - will be beginning his journey in Biarritz, France, crossing the Pyrenees and finishing in Santiago de Compostela, taking in Pamplona, Santander, Oviedo, Leon and more along the way.
Many pilgrims walk only the last 100km into Santiago, but Mike- who will be celebrating his 75th birthday en route - will be undertaking an impressive journey of around 1000km, all while carrying heavy equipment. He says, “It’s not just the places I am looking forward to seeing, but the people you meet along the way who really make the experience. I am very pleased to be fundraising for Corton House and Brakendon Close and would be grateful for any support you can give.”
Mike has completed his journey and arrived safely back in the UK on 10th May.
Facing some challenging weather and of course, the nationwide power outage in Spain and Portugal (thank goodness for that camping stove and head torch!) - Mike went the distance and has raised an incredible £1213.75 for our independent living scheme Brakendon Close! There is still time to donate if you would like to.
A postcard from Oviedo and Leon!
The weather has improved and Mike has been enjoying some flatter terrain (top left) in recent days. He has visited the beautiful Basilica de San Juan el Real in Oviedo (top right) before heading south to Leon. Yesterday he walked west from Leon to Orbigo, where he spotted some storks nesting on top of this red brick water tower (bottom left) and rested in a charming albergue (bottom right).
And he's off! Mike left Brakendon Close bright and early yesterday morning, and has landed safely in France. A day of rest and preparation in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port before awaits, before Mike will embark on crossing the Pyrenees. Thank you for all your support so far!
Mike has been training hard for his adventures, walking daily in Norwich and the surrounding area.
Before he leaves he will be giving an informative talk to residents at our care home, Corton House, detailing his plans and sharing memories from his previous Camino walks.
The map shows an approximate route he will take once in Europe.
Thank you for all your support so far, it is greatly appreciated!