Leeds – United Kingdom

Wall’s Walking Challenge

Key areas

Region/country

THE CONTEXT OF YOUR INITIATIVE

Steven Wall, who lived and worked as a companion at Emmaus Leeds, sadly passed away on 12th January 2016 after a long battle with cancer. The Emmaus Leeds community were keen to carry out an act of solidarity in memory of Steven and to support two charities close to Steven’s heart.

The community set a challenge to scale the three tallest peaks of the United Kingdom together with the three highest peaks in Yorkshire. Steven received support from Macmillan Cancer Support and St Gemma’s Hospice so it was decided that these two causes would benefit from the walks.

THE ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT AS PART OF YOUR INITIATIVE

Companions, staff and friends of Emmaus Leeds carried out the walks over a 12 month period. The Snowdon, Scafell Pike and Yorkshire Three Peaks legs of Wall’s Walking Challenge were completed in 2016. The final stage of the challenge, Ben Nevis, was successfully scaled on Sunday 11 June 2017.

In the run up to the walks and in between each leg, the Emmaus Leeds community received sponsorship from individuals, organisations and people who wanted to contribute.

WHO IS INVOLVED FROM OUR GROUP?

Wall’s Walking Challenge was completed by a group of companions, staff and friends of Emmaus Leeds. Many more people contributed to the challenge by sponsoring the walk and donating money.

WHICH PARTNERS ARE YOU WORKING WITH ON THIS INITIATIVE?

FUTURE PROSPECTS

Wall’s Walking Challenge successfully raised £2,500 that was donated to Macmillan Cancer Support and St Gemma’s Hospice. The walking challenge also gave a focus for Emmaus Leeds community members to improve their physical activity and wellbeing. It improved team relationships, gave a sense of achievement to the people who completed each walk and most importantly, was a fitting tribute to Steven.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADD ANY INFORMATION ABOUT YOUR INITIATIVE?

WHAT ARE YOUR PROSPECTS?