If you had asked me last year what I would be doing in 2021, I certainly don’t think walking over 400 miles from Southend to Land’s End over 23 days would have been my answer!  However, that is exactly what I will be attempting starting on Saturday 28th August. I’ll be carrying everything I need in an 85 litre rucksack and I will be camping as I go.

Copy and paste this link into the web browser to hear from Kenny https://youtu.be/JpiLmlnwfxg  

Have I done anything like this before? Absolutely not!  

SEE THE ROUTE HERE!

 Do you want to walk with me for part of the journey?  Call now on 01702 592980 and maybe I will meet you on the road!

So why would I strap on hiking boots, a rucksack weighing 3 stone and endure blisters in places I didn’t even think it was possible to blister? The answer is to raise funds to help the incredible staff & volunteers of the St Vincent’s Centre, Southend who provide services to the homeless and vulnerable people in Southend.

I have been a volunteer with St Vincent de Paul (SVP) since December 2020 and have seen first-hand the amazing work done by the team who provide help and support to approximately 300 vulnerable people per month.

 The funds raised will be put towards fitting out the St Vincent’s Centre, Southend with a kitchen so that hot meals can be prepared on site. The funds will also be put towards the day to day operational costs of the centre and the mental health café. So please dig deep and donate generously and in return I promise to keep you entertained with a video diary documenting the trials and tribulations of my Southend to Land’s End excursion.  Regular updates on my progress will be published by SVP, so follow their Facebook Page or other social media channels to see my progress on my 400 mile journey to Land’s End!

 In addition to raising a substantial sum of money, I also aim to raise awareness of the many causes of homelessness and challenge the stigma associated with it.  Homelessness often goes hand in hand with poor mental health and this is a matter close to my heart.  I have seen close family members and friends struggle with their own mental health and I know just how easy it could be for someone to end up without a home or any support network.  It is the work of people such as the staff and volunteers of the St. Vincent’s Centre, Southend who provide that support network to those who would otherwise fall through the cracks of our society If you, a family member or a loved one have lived with poor mental health or experienced homelessness and would like to share your story call SVP on 01702 592980.

 You can also join me and the SVP team on the morning of the 28^th August for a FREE breakfast BBQ before I head off on my journey to Land’s End! We will be located at the centre, Unit 9, Victoria Business Park, Short Street, Southend-on-Sea, SS2 5BY.  Please contact SVP on 01702 592980 if you wish to attend.