May's 500Miles,35Days CAMINO Walk - PROJECT 4 ALL

 

 

Hi everyone, I'm Kelly and I'm organising this fundraiser on behalf of May Bristo (My lovely, sweet and slightly bonkers almost 70 years old MUM) who is taking on the famous 'CAMINO DE SANTIAGO' 500 Miles walk across northern Spain, helping to raise money, support and awareness for 'PROJECT 4 ALL', a none funded charity that help to feed, clothe and rehabilitate the homeless and less fortunate based in Costa Blanca.

Tanya is one of the volunteers for the project who lives out in Spain, and will be dealing with the fundraiser that end making sure that the money raised gets to the people who need it! 

Before I tell you all about my lovely mum and how proud I am of her, I'd firstly like to tell you a little of what I have learnt about the Camino de Santiago, why my mum is taking on this massive challenge and all about the amazing work that 'PROJECT 4 ALL' do for their community and why my mum is walking to raise funds and awareness to help support their continued and much needed work and generosity.

 

THE CHALLENGE

 

What, Where & When...

 

On Saturday 26th June 2021, my mum May began her 500 miles, 35 days trek, walking the full Camino Frances route. Setting off from 'Saint-Jean-Pied-De-Port' in France over the French Pyrenees mountains, down to dense forest rich in wildlife to the region of Navarra before encountering the 'Ebo River'. Moving on into the largest region of the Camino Frances, through Castilla Y Lyon which takes in the large and flat Castilian Plateau before ascending into the mountains of Leon. From the Leon mountains, entering the green and hilly region of Galacia before finally reaching the end goal, perched on hill top, Santiago De Compostela.

 

Why and Who are PROJECT 4 ALL...

 

PROJECT 4 ALL is a non-profit, non-funded homeless charity based in Costa Blanca, Spain.

"Helping the less fortunate by spreading food, clothing and a little kindness in places where it is difficult for other organisations to access. Making direct contact and try to bring a little light into a dark world that is unthinkable for most people".

The main aim of the non profit organisation is to provide food and clothing to the homeless and less fortunate. However they also emphasise the importance of having time to spend with people who are very often ignored or live in a parallel world where people don't see them.
A hug, a friendly face, and a listening ear are sometimes as valuable as a proper meal. 

@cook.for.the.homeless

@cook.for.the.homeless

@cook.for.the.homeless
@cook.for.the.homeless

@cook.for.the.homeless


Volunteer roles range from fantastic people who use their homes or businesses to cook 70+ meals, drivers who spend their days and/or evenings delivering those meals, quiz and music night organisers to raise cash, to people who use their business to store frozen meals that anyone struggling can go to pick up, (no questions asked, and certainly no judgement).
Many people donate clothes, food or money to the organisation, which, without these amazing donations, wouldn't exist! 
Everyone has different roles and strengths, but together the team manages to make a difference in the lives of many. 



Project 4 All also runs a half way house located in the small town of Benitachell on the Costa Blanca. Here they provide rooms and rehabilitation possibilities for those wanting to come off the streets and turn their lives and circumstances around while being supported by the team. Donations are also used to help keep the house running and feed the residents. 

As Project 4 All expands, they hope to open a women's only half way house, for women run by women, that will provide a safe environment where our female friends can be rehabilitated. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I thought I'd share these cut outs from The Euro Weekly with you to give you just a small insight of the wonderful work carried out by the team and volunteers at Project 4 All, (previously known as 'Project Costa') please visit their website for more information.

 

 

 

www.project4all.org

Now back to my Mum, Who she is and Why she is doing this...

 

Our Story...

 

MAY BRISTO, is my Mum, she's 68 years young and only 5 foot tall (and I'm sure she's shrinking, ssshhh). She has been married to my Dad, Michael Bristo, also aged 68, for almost 45 years, they had me, their only child in 1979 and about 18 years ago, following my Dad's ill health, they bravely did what most of us only talk about, sold up and moved abroad, starting a whole new life together in Spain. They have since retired and live in a lovely little town called 'La Nucia' on the outskirts of Benidorm.

 

 

CAMINO DE SANTIAGO - The Full Camino Frances Route

 

Some interesting info for you to read...

 

• Step back in time and follow in the footsteps of medieval pilgrims, walking the full Camino Frances from 'Saint-Jean-Pies-De-Port' in the French Pyrenees to the stunning city of 'Santiago De Compostela' in Galicia, where the remains of St James are believed to be buried.
• You can walk the full Camino Frances, 790km, 500miles, in just over a month - 35 nights.
• Historically the 'Camino Frances' is the most popular of the 'Camino De Santiago' routes.
• This is the version of the route you may have seen in the Hollywood movie "The Way", starring Martin Sheen or the more recent BBC documentary called "The Pilgrimage".
• Walking the Camino De Santiago routes is both a cultural and physical adventure, walking on average between 18km to 25km per day.

 

 

The Journey...

 

• Day 1 - Saint Jean Pied De Port to Roncesvalles - The first day is often considered as the most difficult as the Camino crosses the Pyrenees. Starting off with a steep climb, on through orchards, passing country houses, through Alpine style meadows and alongside leafy beach woods towards the Spanish border and then into Roncesvalles.
• Day 2 - Roncesvalles to Zubiri - The Camino crosses two beautiful mountain passes and continues on through beach and oak woods and meadows before coming to Espinal, where the panoramic views of the countryside, with the Pyrenees in the background, are a sight to behold.
• Day 3 - Zubiri to Pamplona - The Camino runs along the river Arga, at the foot of a group of hills covered in beach, oak and Scots pine. Approaching Pamplona, the landscape shows more signs of civilisation, with it's reforested conifers and farmlands.
• Day 4 - Pamplona to Puente La Reina - Leaving Pamplona and also leaving behind the Atlantic area of Navarra. From here onwards, the landscape will be dominated be cereal crops, Holm oaks and Mediterranean brushwood.
• Day 5 - Puente La Reina to Estella - The Camino to Estella is very uneven and quite agricultural. Small towns and villages are dotted amongst cereal fields, vineyards and olive trees.
• Day 6 - Estella to Los Arcos - Today May will walk through the Rioja area of Navarra. From Villamayor de Monjardin to Los Arcos, covering 12km without coming across a single village.
• Day 7 - Los Arcos to Logrono - May can expect a pleasant hike today into undulating countryside. Passing the stunning ruins of Clavijo Castle before finally coming to the town of Logrono, situated on the border between Alava and Navarra.
• Day 8 - Logrono to Najera - After 12km walking through landscape dominated by vineyards, May will pass Navarette, a town built in the 12th century by the 'Knights of the Holy Sepulchre'. Here May will have a chance to visit the fabulous Baroque Church of 'La Ascension', before finally arriving in Najera, where she can enjoy the panoramic views from this hill-top town.

 

To be continued...