Vana Trust is a charity working in both the UK and Zimbabwe. It exists to promote empowerment through education and enrich the lives of children and young adults. Following the pandemic, the need for mental wellbeing support is paramount.

Since it was set up in 2009, Vana Trust Farm has given hundreds of people with autism and mental health issues the opportunity to work on the farm. Those that attend help to care for the farms animals, grow veg and learn to cook. As part of the activities they are also encouraged to connect with others and become part of a team.

The aim is for those attending to develop new skills and reduce feelings of anxiety, tension and isolation. There have been many amazing success stories, with regular visitors to the farm growing in confidence and going on to find employment in garden centres or National Trust properties. Something that would have seemed impossible to them before visiting the farm.

In Zimbabwe, the Vana Trust has helped thousands of children gain the right to an education by funding school fees, uniforms and books for children in primary, secondary and higher education. Many of the children sponsored by the Trust are now enjoying successful careers in industries such as banking and accountancy.

As with all corners of life, the Coronavirus has had an impact on both projects, particularly in Zimbabwe where it is facing the worst hunger crisis in a decade. Before COVID-19 hit, the country was already facing a climate disaster and economic meltdown, with normal rainfall recorded in just one of the last five growing seasons. Half of the country's population, 7.7 million people are now food insecure and help is needed fast. With the school closures, the Vana Trust wants to provide support for its beneficiaries with regular food parcels and face masks through to next year's harvest.

The Vana Trust is asking you to join their Summer #Walk4Difference this July and raise vital funds for both projects. The coronavirus pandemic has caused anxiety and stress in all of us in unique ways and by getting outside and enjoying the countryside, you can combat a low mood and increase your self-esteem - helping you to feel good inside and out.

This is the 8th year the Trust has organised a fundraising walk. The first took place in 2014 when Vana Trust's Founder, Nyasha Gwatidzo set herself the challenge of walking the length of the Thames following an illness. Nyasha said, "Id been really poorly and was feeling very down. A friend said to me, tell yourself you're better and wish it away. I knew there was evidence that setting yourself a challenge can make you feel better, so I decided to walk the length of the Thames, 183 miles, alone, over 14 days. I chose to walk alone as I hate my own company, coming from a family of seven children being on my own is a phobia.

I planned to start out on my own, but as friends and supporters of the charity heard what I was doing they decided to join me on various stretches of the walk. By the time I got to Greenwich there were about 20 people with me.

With the support of sponsors, I raised over £10,000 and mentally felt so much stronger by the end of it. That year I was due to walk the second half of the Pieterpad Trail in Holland, but COVID-19 caused me to shelve my plans so we've needed to come up with different ideas to raise funds each year.

I'm asking you to show the people Vana Trust supports who are most in need, that they will never walk alone, by creating your own walk."

Walkers can set their own personal challenge in terms of distance each day, they just have to walk for 14 consecutive days from Saturday 16th July to Friday 29th July 2022. Participants are encouraged to raise a minimum of £100 for the Vana Trust and it is looking to recruit 100 walkers to raise a total of £10,000.

Nyasha added, Your sponsored #Walk4Difference will be life changing. The fundraising will also help create new outdoor facilities for those receiving support at our UK farm.

To find out more about Vana Trust, visit www.vanatrust.org.uk

"Enriching Lives" Enriching the lives of children and adults by promoting self-esteem and developing confidence and skills through education, commitment, encouragement and support.