Emmaus Partnership
The Bishop of Salford is planning to take to the Camino de Santiago in October in support of a Caritas Salford support initiative.
The Every Step campaign has seen people from across Greater Manchester and Lancashire taking on their own challenges – whether mental or physical – to raise awareness and much-needed funds to help Caritas Salford support local people.
Now Bishop John Arnold is set to take on his own special challenge as part of the Every Step appeal which is raising funds for local people experiencing poverty, homelessness and discrimination.
Bishop John will be walking part of the Camino de Santiago in October, as he joins Father Chris Gorton for the final part of his epic challenge to help raise awareness and generate much-needed funds for the charity.
Father Chris, a parish priest from Bolton, will be running 924 kilometres of the Camino de Santiago – the equivalent of running from Manchester to Dundee and back again and Bishop John will be joining him to walk from Portomarín to Santiago de Compostela.
“So many generous people have taken on Every Step challenges already this year to help raise funds for Caritas Salford and it has been so encouraging to see,” saiod Bishop John.
“People can choose anything they wish, whether a physical, mental or other challenge, with the main goal to help raise awareness and money to support people in Greater Manchester and Lancashire who are experiencing poverty, homelessness and discrimination.
“On hearing about Father Chris and his epic challenge I was keen to join him for some of the trip, and I am really looking forward to taking part. The challenge really is about enabling the work of Caritas Salford as it walks alongside people, helping them to transform their lives with dignity.
“I hope people will follow Father Chris as he takes part and will also be encouraged to choose their own challenge, however big or small. Every positive action has such a significant impact and every step taken and every penny raised means Caritas can support even more people in our local communities.”
Bishop John visited Caritas staff as they took part in their own challenge: a 12-hour gym-a-thon. He even joined in on some of the equipment at the outdoor gym at Denmark Road where the Caritas Cornerstone day centre and Morning Star accommodation projects are based. He also recently visited the Caritas Red Door day centre in Bury to see more about the work that is going on there to support local people and hear about their Every Step fundraising walk.
To donate to the Every Step campaign in support of Bishop John’s walk and Father Chris’ challenge, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/everystepcaritas
To find out more about Every Step, forthcoming challenges, or how to set up a unique challenge of your own, visit www.caritassalford.org.uk/everystep
