Legacy
Legacy
Please note: this post is 106 months old and The Cares Family is no longer operational. This post is shared for information only
Last year, volunteer Jess walked 50km in aid of North London Cares. This year, she's doing it all again in our London to Cambridge Challenge. In this blog, she tells us why she's getting sweaty and fundraising for her older neighbours a second year running.
When I first moved to London I knew very few people. At times I found it quite a lonely place and I remember asking myself "If I feel like this in my twenties, how must some of the older generation feel who find it a challenge to get out and meet new people?"
So when I read about North London Cares it felt like the perfect answer.
North London Cares has now become an important part of my life in London. I have built important friendships with many of the older neighbours, as well as my fellow volunteers. I feel part of a very special community and for this reason I wanted to give something special back. So the Thames Path Challenge seemed the perfect way to do it.
I learnt quickly after signing up to the challenge that fundraising is a big part of the challenge – maybe the biggest. The experience is about so much more than the day of the walk itself. I achieved my fundraising goal by hosting several events such as a quiz and a barbeque, both days being small successes for the charity in themselves. Training walks were also a great way to get to know the other volunteers better and pick up some very useful tips.
For me the day of the walk arrived with much excitement; some trepidation, but mainly excitement. The day itself was fantastic. We got to walk along one of the most beautiful parts of the Thames, Putney to Runnymede. The sun was shining and the company was great. We all kept each other going through some the toughest parts of the day.
The Thames Path Challenge was one the hardest yet most rewarding things I have ever done in my life. I thought I would never do a challenge like it again, but the shear sense of achievement you feel when you finish something like this – along with the money raised – outweighs the aches and pains and makes all of the effort worthwhile.
I've signed up a second time because, quite simply, I can’t wait to make more great memories and raise more money for a charity as great as North London Cares.
There are several things I am looking forward to a second time round. I’m looking forward to meeting new people for whom this might be their first ever challenge and hopefully I can pass on some useful tips I learnt last year. I’m looking forward to hosting a couple of fundraising events which will hopefully be as successful as lasts years. And, most importantly, I’m looking forward to the catering provided along the walk and at the end. It’s top notch!
If you want to join Jess and our amazing walkers braving 50km in the London to Cambridge Challenge on Saturday 2nd July, you can find out more here.