Bishop John’s Every Step challenge
Date Published: 03 Sep 2024
Our Every Step campaign is still going strong, with 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 us support local people.
We couldn’t be more grateful for the support we’re receiving. It makes a huge difference and means we can be there alongside even more people in our communities who are experiencing acute crisis – as well as being there for them in the long-term too.
We’re thrilled that our chair of trustees, Bishop John Arnold, is set to take on his own challenge this October….
Bishop John Arnold is taking on a special challenge as part of our Every Step appeal which is raising funds for local people experiencing poverty, homelessness and discrimination.
The Bishop will be walking part of the Camino de Santiago in October of this year, as he joins Father Chris Gorton for the final part of his epic challenge to help raise awareness and generate much-needed funds for our 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.
Bishop John said: “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. 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.
The Every Step campaign is asking people to take on a special challenge in 2024 to help raise awareness and funds to support local people.
There are a range of organised events and activities to join, and people are also welcome to set up their own activity if they prefer. From runs and walks to quizzes and sponsored read-athons or bake-offs, there is something for everyone – with every penny raised making a real difference.
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