Walking The Wash

On 11th October 2024 I will be walking a planned route of 200 miles, around The Wash, starting at The Storehouse in Skegness. I’ll head through Boston, King’s Lynn and Hunstanton. Thornham is 100 miles, which is where I will turn back and re-trace my steps. I’ll be wild camping, with just my sleeping bag and a tarp for cover. I’ll finish the walk at The Storehouse, hopefully before the coffee shop closes for the day..!

I’m allowing 9 days for the walk, but expect it to take 8.

I’m doing the walk to raise vital funds for The Re:Store Centre and Skegness Foodbank.

The Re:Store Centre is the home of our homeless outreach within Skegness. The purpose built space includes a kitchen for providing hot meals for those without cooking facilities as well as a hot shower, washing machine and tumble drier which are available for those who are homeless. The Re:Store Centre also hosts drop-ins for those who are homeless. Some of these are to include Rough Sleeping team, We Are With You, Double Impact, The Community Connector, Salvation Army and more.

Skegness Food Bank is a Skegness Fellowship of Churches Initiative operating from The Storehouse located in The Re:Store Centre. We supply food parcels for individuals and families to provide three meals per day and are an independent Food Bank supported by volunteers and donations from generous local churches, businesses, charities and individuals.

With ever increasing bills for the public and client demand on the rise, the Food Bank is often very busy and as a result low on supplies. We get no government help to deliver our service.

When I arrived in Skegness as a homeless person, I was directed to The Storehouse to get help. Initially for me, it was a case of just needing hot food, a good shower, and generally a safe place to rest and relax. But I found myself there five days a week, engaging with the community, and soon started ‘helping out’ unofficially, making tea for people, or wiping tables.

I soon got know the team members and other service providers, as I applied to become a volunteer, to help give back to the community that helped me.

I now have a roof over my head. And I’ve even set up my own business, albeit very early days. I plan to keep volunteering at The Storehouse, as I believe I’m making an impact on the community.