Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

You may remember a few years ago, when I got involved in a mad plan to walk 12 walks of 12 miles to mark the 12 men who take their own lives every day!  As a team, we managed to raised something like £4,000 for two mental health charities: Movember and CALM. We called it "Walk This Way" - inspired by the classic collaboration between Aerosmith and Run DMC. Collaboration was at the heart of the project, and I remain fiercely proud of what we achieved together.

This time, it is a solo challenge! I've taken my inspiration from "500 Miles (I'm Gonna Be)" by The Proclaimers. Just like the song, I'm going to walk 500 miles.  All walks will be done to be COVID secure and in accordance with the latest guidance from government whether we are in lockdown or out of lockdown. The focus of my challenge this time is to raise money for the amazing Newquay Foodbank who do so much to support the most vulnerable families in this incredible community. It is especially important that these families are supported now, especially as more families have found themselves in unexpected financial hardship as a result of COVID restrictions and two national Lockdowns. 

From a personal perspective, I know what it is like to grow up in a family that was subject to financial hardship and the shadow of poverty when my dad was unemployed back in the 1980s. I remember the humiliation heaped upon me from others as I had to wear second hand clothes (not vintage or pre-loved as they are often referred to now). The memory of that was one of the defining factors that resulted in me becoming a secondary school teacher.  It makes me beyond sad to consider that there will be children in Newquay today who will experience the same or similar things to those that I experienced back when I was young.

So please support me in this challenge. Please spread the news of what I'm trying to do on social media. Please spread the stories of how Newquay Foodbank (and other equally wonderful charities and organisations) are helping those people who are most in need of our help.

And finally... will you be one of my 500 smiles?  I'm looking for at least 500 wonderful people who are willing to donate to this Just Giving page a minimum of £5.00 to support the work of Newquay Foodbank throughout this Lockdown and whatever comes after it. That would raise a lot of money to help a lot of people right here in Newquay.

Here's one final music reference for you - anybody and everybody who contributes money to this fundraiser for Newquay Foodbank would undoubtedly become one of my "Heroes"... but for more than one day.

Thank you.