Lorna Pearce, YMCA Norfolk Families Team Support Worker, walked a staggering 40 miles to raise money for the organisation’s young people and families over the course of two days.
The pilgrimage, which began in Norwich and finished in Walsingham, consisted of a 13-mile walk on Saturday 7 September and over 26 miles on Sunday.
Lorna expressed how the walk was extremely difficult at times, but was inspired by the hope of YMCA Norfolk’s young people and staff:
“I have been working for YMCA Norfolk for two years. Every day I see the way my colleagues help families and young people through their personal journeys and struggles, which fills me with a sense of hope and pride in the phenomenal work this great charity does,” she said.
Over the weekend, Lorna passed through several villages and towns throughout North Norfolk – each empowering her to continue her journey:
“I saw some beautiful views of the Norfolk countryside. Marriott’s Way (a 24-mile long footpath between Norwich and Aylsham) was the most pleasant part of the journey. I could imagine passengers riding along the train line all those years ago. Miles and miles of mud tracks surrounded by nature.
“I also met some lovely people on route, who restored my faith in the kindness of humanity; fellow travellers who tore pages from their atlas to help us when technology failed and passers-by who offered me plasters and bandages for my foot,” Lorna said.
So far, Lorna has raised £365.00 for YMCA Norfolk, but is appealing to the public and supporters to carrying on donating to her cause via her Virgin Giving Fundraising Page.
While Lorna is dedicating funds to YMCA Norfolk, she wanted to dedicate the spiritual aspect of the walk to her friend, Derek Barrell, who passed away a few days before the walk took place.
“I made it to the Slipper Chapel in Walsingham as the sun was setting on the Sunday. The candles outside were still alight and shone with the hopes and prayers of many other pilgrims. I prayed a little, cried a little, and felt a huge sense of achievement, knowing this part of my spiritual journey was over and the physical journey of this particular pilgrimage was also close to an end.
“It reminded me once again of a driving force that helped me make it through, my dear friend Derek Barrell, who I had dedicated the spiritual aspect of this walk. His physical journey on this earth was over, but his spiritual journey had just begun. I offered my prayers up for him and felt a great deal of hope. That hope is also present within the YMCA and the young people who we work with. That is why I dedicated my fundraising to this great cause.
“After this reflection, I walked the final mile or so into Walsingham village to a warm welcome at the Bull Inn and Elmham House Hostel,” Lorna said.
YMCA Norfolk want to thank Lorna for her ongoing commitment to transforming the lives of families across Norfolk and undergoing her amazing fundraising pilgrimage.
If you would like to fundraise for YMCA Norfolk and our life-changing services, please contact our fundraising and events officer, Judy, on judy.bailey@ymcanorfolk.org
All fundraisers for YMCA Norfolk will have the full support of our marketing and fundraising department in addition to branded resources.