Why I’m walking 130 miles for children in Palestine 

Alastair has been an ABCD trustee for about 10 years, and first came across our work back in 2001 when he visited some of our centres while on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land with his parish priest. This year, Alastair is celebrating his 65th birthday by taking on a 130-mile fundraising pilgrimage in support of our Hope Through Hearing campaign.

This spring, in support of ABCD’s work, I’ll be celebrating my 65th birthday by taking on a walking pilgrimage along the St Cadfan Pilgrim’s Way in North Wales – also known as Llwybr Cadfan in an area which I know from childhood holidays and family trips, making it a very special place to undertake this journey.

It’s a route of around 128 miles, divided into 12 days, plus a couple of additional days, running from Towyn to Bardsey Island, so about 130 in total, two miles for every year I’ve been alive.

This walk brings together two things that are very close to my heart: a place with deep personal meaning, and a cause I care strongly about – the vital work being done by ABCD to support children with disabilities in Palestine. Linking the two is a great joy for me, and it’s very important to me to celebrate those connections that are all around us.

Scenery, wildlife and 17 churches

My wife and I plan to walk Llwybr Cadfan in two sections: the first will be the six days after Easter, and the remainder around the second May bank holiday. We’ll be basing ourselves in Porthmadog, and mostly using the train to reach different points along the route.

What I’m most looking forward to is the scenery, wildlife and ancient holy sites. The coastline and landscape are stunning, and there’s a real chance of seeing curlews, choughs, and ravens. I’ve seen ravens here before doing extraordinary things in the air (like flying upside-down!), and I’m hoping for a few more of those magical moments.

There are also 17 churches on the route, and I’m especially keen to visit St Michael’s at Treflys. And along the way, we’ll pass a small chapel where some of the ashes of both my parents are buried, so I’ll be nodding to them as I go as well, making my walk even more meaningful.

This walk brings together two things that are very close to my heart: a place with deep personal meaning, and a cause I care strongly about – the vital work being done by ABCD to support children with disabilities in Palestine

Of course, there will be challenges too, even if the weather cooperates! Walking such a long distance will naturally be tiring, and there are practical considerations as well, like relying on train connections and managing the day-to-day logistics.

But it’s not intended to be an intense experience. It’s about taking the time, enjoying the walk, and of course, the funds we’re raising in support of ABCD’s Hope Through Hearing campaign!

Supporting a source of hope

I aim to raise £2,000 to support Hope Through Hearing campaign, and every mile my wife and I cover will also go towards ABCD’s Palestine Relay, a virtual relay covering 2,000 miles in support of the audiology centre.

Hope Through Hearing focuses on the building of an audiology centre in Al Am’ari camp, which we’re doing in direct response to a need identified by partners in Palestine for audiology services.

Like much of ABCD’s work, it’s about listening and responding, and with time, it’s hoped the new audiology centre will grow into a centre of excellence and a source of hope, which is more critical than ever in these difficult times.

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