Miles in May

We did it! 40 miles in May! We weren't able to finish the walk in Pembrokeshire but have made up the miles by walking some beautiful routes near home. We were greatly encouraged on our last few miles by the littlest of HANDS supporters (5 years old and 2 years old!).  It's possible we were slowed down by them joining us but we had a lot of fun! Shouting out when we saw buttercups or mini white flowers (cow parsley), doing giant steps and mini steps and jumping in and out of shadows! We even had to get off the path because a sheep run came through, complete with a sheepdog keeping them going in the right direction. 
Again, while our walking has been mostly enjoyable, we have undertaken the challenge to support the vital work of HANDS. Thailand seems a long way away but it is very close to our hearts. The people that HANDS helps, struggle to survive day by day. Work can be sporadic so money is short. Can you imagine having to choose between putting fuel in your motorbike so that you can take your kids to school, or feeding them dinner when they get home? These kind of choices are very real for many people and HANDS does what it can to alleviate some of the pressure, even if it is by being a willing hear for people to talk to. Please help this vital work continue by donating - even a little bit goes a long way. Thanks x

32 miles forwards, backwards, ups and downs and round and rounds!! Actually we haven't done any backward walking or round and rounds but you get the idea. We're nearly at the end of our challenge - only 8 miles left to walk in the next 6 days.
As we've been walking and enjoying it for the most part, I have been thinking about many of the people HANDS tries to help. Some of them have had to finish long and challenging walks, through jungles and mountains which I guess if you weren't having to flee from one country to another might be really beautiful. But they aren't walking for pleasure, they're walking to escape the horrors that are being committed in their villages, to their friends and family. They are running to protect their children from being forced into one army or another. They are leaving their homes because their cattle and crops have all been destroyed and there's no work. So while Alexa and I have enjoyed our walks, we have been doing this challenge to raise money to support people who have also walked for days on end, but who have also had to be on the lookout and hide when necessary. The elderly and babies having to sleep outside and be quiet to avoid being heard. We are walking so that our team can provide rice, dried/tinned food, or medical assistance, or a roof over their heads. We don't presume to know what they need but we hope that they will know that we value them as people, not 'things' to be used and abused. We want them to feel safe and happy in this place that they have come to. Please help us if you can, any amount makes a difference.