Homelessness charity raises £50K with cross-UK walk

A 450-mile (724km) walk from Wales to the East of England - the widest part of the UK - has raised almost £50,000 for a homeless persons' charity

A group of six people from Emmaus Norfolk and Waveney spent six weeks trekking from St David's, in Pembrokeshire, Wales, to its base in Ditchingham, in Norfolk.

Three of those involved have experienced homelessness, and been helped by the charity.

Cecile Roberts, who is the charity's chief executive and led the Walk of Kindness, said: "It's been tough at times, but we've never given up."

The group set out from the cathedral city of St David's in Pembrokeshire on 26 August.

They followed a long-distance route called the Via Beata, meaning "way of blessing", which runs through the site where the charity Emmaus Norfolk and Waveney is based.

On completing the journey, Ms Roberts said: "It's very emotional to be home and lovely to see so many family, friends and colleagues.

"I'm so proud of everyone on the walk and everyone back home at Ditchingham."

Among those on the walk was Mick Jagger - who changed his name by deed poll for a new start.

The 63-year-old, from Bradford, West Yorkshire, previously said: "For years and years, well for 40, 50 years, I've been a compulsive gambler and I've been homeless so many times through the decades."

He said he changed his name by deed poll "because I didn't like the person who I was", adding: "I was nicknamed Jagger when I was growing up so I thought why not just change to Mick Jagger."

After completing the walk, he added: "To raise money to help more out of homelessness is fantastic and we're grateful to everyone who has donated money to the walk.

"But I wanted to raise awareness of the issues surrounding homelessness and I think we've done that."

While walking, the charity received a message from The Queen, also a patron of Emmaus, praising them for their fundraising efforts.

As the walk ended, Lady Pippa Dannatt, the Lord-Lieutenant of Norfolk said, on behalf Their Majesties the King and Queen: "The six of you are completely inspirational, and on behalf of both Their Majesties, and all the peoples of your home county of Norfolk, can I just say how immensely proud of you we are."

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