Celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the YMCA with a 150 mile trek

In a moment of madness I thought the best way to celebrate my 75th birthday, was to combine it with acknowledging the great work the YMCA has done for the past 150 years and go on a 150 mile walk.

I shall head off from my starting point at the YMCA East Surrey, in Redhill, Surrey, on Monday 26th June and make my way to Somerset staying with friends and family along the way with a night of wild camping thrown in for good measure – let's hope the twice replaced hip can take it!

Unfortunately the YMCA didn’t get to shout about its monumental anniversary as this took place in 2020 which as we all know was a time when challenges and events couldn’t go ahead. So hopefully this will go some way in making up for it.

YMCA East Surrey’s mission is to provide opportunities for people to develop to their full potential with a focus on children and young people and those who are vulnerable, have a disability or face disadvantage. Helping people to live their lives to the full by offering activities, services and support.

If you would like to donate, 100% of your money will go toward the YMCA East Surrey’s Life Change Fund.

Our Life Change Fund was established back in 2021 following the pandemic to help us to support the most disadvantaged young people in our community. This year, the Life Change Fund aims to support our Y-Bus Appeal - a mobile youth club on wheels to reach young people in areas where there is little or no youth provision. Many of these young people are at risk of offending or exploitation, experiencing issues at home, facing bullying at school, suffering with their mental wellbeing or needing additional support with employment, education or training.