5 weeks - 500 miles - 1 man...ME
My name is Rob Burns and I am 30 years old.
On July 24th 2016 I will be flying out to the south of France to St Jean Pied de Port. The next day I am setting off on a walk along the Camino De Santiago (Way of St. James), an ancient pilgrimage route from St Jean, crossing the Pyrenees mountain range into Spain where the walk continues until reaching the final destination of Santiago De Compostela - believed by many to be the final resting place of Jesus' apostle James.
The route is just short of 500 miles in total and I'm aiming to complete it within 5 weeks, meaning I'm aiming to walk a minimum of 15 miles a day.
Originally I planned to walk just as a personal challenge to myself but so many people have asked if I'm doing it for charity and said they would be happy to sponsor that I have decided to set up this page. I will be walking to raise funds for 2 local charities in Swindon. The BIOS project and Swindon Foodbank.
A charity that is very close to my heart is BIOS Settings4life - they were the first charity I ever volunteered with when dipping my toes into youth work and encouraged and supported me to make a career in youth work.
BIOS engages with those it helps through front-line community & street based youth work and also provides support through schools and colleges in areas of deprivation.
Through Mobile Youth Work sessions we work with young people ‘where they’re at’. These sessions provide positive activities for young people who for a wide variety of reasons can be found ‘hanging out’ in parks and open spaces. Through conversation support, a listening ear, information, advice and guidance can be offered.
2 years ago they launched the "BIOS Van". The BIOS Van is a converted supermarket home delivery van, fully customised as a well equipped mobile youth club.
The vehicle does not enable young people to get on board, rather the sides fold up providing games consoles, internet access, information services, music, mobile seating, sports equipment and refreshment facilities.
Each week the Van works with over 350 young people tackling anti social behaviour and encouraging them to make Positive Life Choices helping them to have a better future.
My second charity of choice, Swindon Foodbank provide emergency food supplies to families and individuals in need. Since launching in 2005 they have helped thousands of people in need - and have seen demand rise year on year. It is terrible that in 21st century Britain people cannot afford the basic necessities needed for life and that is why charities such as Swindon Foodbank need as much support as they are able to get.
If you would like to find out more about both charities you can visit their websites, which are:
Thank you very much for taking the time to find out more about my plans for summer 2016. You're support will make a massive difference!!
The walk is being sponsored by Go Outdoors, one of the nations leading retailers in outdoor activity equipment, and they have very kindly donated kit to help me along the way!
