The Good Shepherd are encouraging people to get moving at the start of summer and raise vital funds for the charity as part of this year’s Miles into Meals campaign.
From June 20 to July 20, whether it’s as an individual, or with your school, business, faith group or just friends, why not take on a challenge? It could be walking, running, cycling, swimming, or anything else which gets you moving.
During that time period, the Good Shepherd is aiming for everyone involved to beat the target of completing 1247 miles, the distance from our main Centre in Wolverhampton to Granada in Spain, where the roots of a worldwide group of charities was first born.
In Granada in the 16th century, St John of God worked with people who were homeless, in poverty and in poor health, inspiring a legacy of hospitality, compassion and respect, values which inspire our work at the Good Shepherd in the present day.
To deliver that vital work requires fundraising and, alongside encouraging supporters to take on challenges, the Good Shepherd have organised three events which people can support:
- West Park Walkers! Last year’s West Park Walks return but this time for one day only, from 9am-4pm on Thursday, June 20th. Staff, volunteers and special guests will lead leisurely walks around the park and chat to people to outline the range of the Good Shepherd’s work across the community. A timetable will be released soon with everyone more than welcome to join at different parts of the day to cover the collective miles to help make a strong start in pursuit of the target! Donations can be made to support this day of awareness and fundraising by clicking here.
- Blaze-athon! Good Shepherd Operations Manager Lee Smith is taking on a personal and very physical challenge at the David Lloyd Health Club in Dudley. Click here to read more but, in summary, Lee is taking on eight successive high-intensity Blaze workouts one after the other! There will be opportunities to join Lee for a session during the day in return for making a donation – these will be announced shortly. Click here to access his fundraising link.
- After two major walking challenges over the last couple of years, Good Shepherd CEO Tom Hayden and Project Worker Paul Burns are going for a three-peat! Across July 11th and 12th they will be walking 52 miles, so back-to-back marathons, marking 52 years since the Good Shepherd first opened its doors back in 1972. They will be joined by Lucy Cox, Project Manager for the Good Shepherd’s food and advice service, and professional photographer and Good Shepherd ambassador Stuart Manley.
On top of that, the Good Shepherd would really like to see the community getting involved with their own challenges, however large or small, to raise awareness, funds and help cover the 1247 miles!
“We are delighted to be reintroducing Miles into Meals again this year and, whilst we are always hugely appreciative of people taking on challenges at any time over the 12 months, we have selected this period during June and July to introduce a specific target,” says Good Shepherd CEO Tom Hayden.
“The target distance of 1247 miles will be a challenge for all of us to aim for whether it be staff, volunteers, service users or fundraisers.
“We know and understand how important exercise can be to boost both physical health and mental health, so whatever people decide to do, setting their own targets as either an individual or part of a group, should prove a really positive benefit for anyone taking part.
“Whilst we now deliver a diverse range of services here at the Good Shepherd, from providing advice and guidance around housing and benefits to mental health support and working with people who are street homeless, all of this is underpinned by our food and advice services, which continue to meet a substantial demand.
“In 2023, we supported 1, 364 individuals, the most we have ever supported in a single year and a 28% increase when compared to 2023.
“All of the proceeds from Miles into Meals will be directed straight into our free-to-access services, which deliver vital help to so many individuals and families across Wolverhampton who are continuing to face major challenges connected to the cost of living.
“With that in mind, we would love as much support as possible for our forthcoming campaign, whether that is by taking part in a Good Shepherd event, setting up your own or making a donation, or simply raising awareness on social media, any help we receive is greatly appreciated.”
So, the challenge is on for 2024! Be a part of our Miles into Meals team, and help make a positive difference for people across Wolverhampton.
- To take part in your own Miles into Meals fundraiser, click here to visit our fundraising page and set up your own challenge by pressing either ‘Create a team’ or ‘fundraise for us’. If you do, and can contribute to our collective target, please complete this form with the details between June 20 and July 20 or email [email protected] with the amount of miles that you have covered. Please note that anyone taking part in any Good Shepherd event does so at their own risk.