Charities
The Child Bereavement Charity (CBC) provides specialised support, information and training to all those affected when a baby or child dies, or when a child is bereaved. By learning continuously from children and parents, CBC leads the way in improving the quality of care offered by professionals to such families, both in the immediate crisis and in the time following the death of someone important in their lives. We are the UK's leading charity that educates professionals and supports families both when a child dies and when a child is bereaved.
Mind has been speaking out for better mental health for 60 years and is the leading mental health charity in England and Wales. At Mind, we work for a better life for everyone with experience of mental or emotional distress.
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walkamileinmyshoes's fundraising page
There comes a time in a man’s life when he should embark on a pilgrimage - so says Satish Kumar. In actual fact he suggests that when a man reaches middle age he should be off on his second jolly. He is a Jain monk - I, on the other hand, am an atheistic, bald ex senior social worker carrying more weight than he would like, with a mental health problem. On April 6th this year I will begin a tour of the UK where I will circumnavigate this fair island on foot, relying solely on the kindness of other people for food, water, shelter and compassion.
The reason for the date is simple - it’s the 34th anniversary of my mum’s death. She died of cervical cancer when I was 12. My dad, devastated by this, turned to alcohol, often leaving my brother, 1 year older than me, and I to fend for ourselves.
This is not the story of my slide into the world of mental health problems - I’ll blog that up in bitesized chunks for easy digestion. Hopefully it illustrates that a combination of crazy events and a touch of faulty brain wiring can lead to the normaility of mental health difficulties.
I will be looking for sponsorship for my three chosen charities - I will post the links up for these later and how folk can donate.
This particular journey is not so much about me - it’s about the people I visit on my way, their beauty and kindness and the the beauty of this lovely island that we share. I want to hear and share the stories of anyone who feels they have felt the squeeze of prejudice or where they felt their words were unheard.
My motivation comes through the feelings of isolation and prejudice I have experienced because of my condition, and my knowledge of the discrimination felt by so many users of social work services - Older people, people with a physical disability, people with mental health problems, people with a learning disability, people from minority ethnic groups, people who choose a different god and people who choose to live their lives in different ways.
But not just them. I want to hear the voice of the middle classes - the tax payers - the majority who feel they are unheard.
This is a reaction against the mainstream press who portray a divided and scared Britain - a dangerous Britain full of individuals who look after themselves - a Britain where there is no society, let alone a big one.
Go to any of the mainstream newspaper websites - ok, The Mirror is the exception - type in any of the following words or phrases into that papers’ search engine and look at the stories they generate -
“Mentally ill” ; “Benefits”; “Travellers” or “Travelling People”; “Hindus”; or “Immigrants”
There are many more I’m sure, but you’ll get the picture.
Help me to prove them wrong - show that although we are divided we are not yet conquered
Walk a mile in my shoes.
Chris
Recent donors
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Kevin & Simon, LochCroispol Bookshop, Durness £20.00 (+ £5.00 giftaid) 14.08.11 Best of luck with the remainder of your journey. |
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Kate & Janet Sango Sands Oasis Durness £20.00 08.08.11 |
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Kathleen McGauley (87) £20 £20.00 08.08.11 |
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c mcdonald £20.00 (+ £5.00 giftaid) 04.08.11 |
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Anonymous £10.00 (+ £2.50 giftaid) 27.07.11 |
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Jack waiter at Mulberries Bourton the Water £5.00 16.07.11 This money was the tips from Jack (19) who is waiter and his mother died last year. It will go to the Child bereavement Charity. |
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Roy Nutt £7.00 16.07.11 Cherrie at Mulberries made an announcement in her cafe and Chris told everyone about his adventure. Roy Nutt and wife (Kent) |
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Tracy Perry £50.00 (+ £12.50 giftaid) 19.06.11 Chris, donations (in Euro's) from my mum and Grandma, spent by in Spain on my holibobs!!!! I am replacing with Sterling and topping off to the nice round £50 (OCD? Me???) We all wish you well. Keep on walking the miles x |
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Mairi Ross £30.00 (+ £7.50 giftaid) 16.06.11 Teen's sister here. She told me about what you were doing. Will try to pas some some North coast contacts |
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Pat y £50.00 (+ £12.50 giftaid) 12.06.11 Thought you needed a boost in the donations, you are doing so well, keep walking we are all cheering for you love Pat x |
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Kate McDonald £10.00 (+ £2.50 giftaid) 27.05.11 |
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A. Nonny Mouse £20.00 (+ £5.00 giftaid) 27.05.11 Am arranging house move to coast in order to help out. Okay. That's not happening. In the meantime, good luck. |
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kate mcdonald £10.00 (+ £2.50 giftaid) 12.05.11 |
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Anonymous £5.00 10.05.11 Sorry the donation isn't much. I think it's amazing what you're doing. It's nice to see that there are people you can trust who put you up for a night or two. Hope you enjoy your little stroll through the UK. =) |
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Pete n Tom C £30.00 (+ £7.50 giftaid) 09.05.11 Hope this helps! |
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Ginette £10.00 (+ £2.50 giftaid) 27.04.11 Fantastic challenge, well done Chris. Hope to meet you soon. ( I am a friend of Ella's) |
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Sandy Nicoll £20.00 (+ £5.00 giftaid) 27.04.11 Hi Chris. So glad we had the opportunity to chat at The Star in Montrose. Good luck for the rest of your journey, both on the road and within yourself. |
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kate mcdonald £10.00 (+ £2.50 giftaid) 17.04.11 |
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Craig Haggar £20.00 (+ £5.00 giftaid) 12.04.11 loving following your progress Chris, good luck on your travels |
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Alison Smith, Anstruther Fish Bar £50.00 12.04.11 Great to meet you Chris and good luck for the rest of your journey. Our staff kindly decided to add their tips from yesterday towards our donation to your charities. |
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Mike £35.00 (+ £8.75 giftaid) 08.04.11 Keep right on till the end of the road... |
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John £50.00 (+ £12.50 giftaid) 08.04.11 Now that he's off let's get this party started |
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Jane McLaren £20.00 (+ £5.00 giftaid) 07.04.11 Good luck Chris |
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kate mcdonald £20.00 (+ £5.64 giftaid) 24.03.11 dont forget blister pads,and good luck |
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Alexander & Svetlana Bocharov £50.00 19.03.11 Good Luck, Christopher. All our love Alexander & Svetlana |
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Vera Y. £50.00 (+ £14.10 giftaid) 09.02.11 Dear Christopher, that it a fantastically creasy thing you are doing. I’m very proud of you and will support and try to find people to help you on your way. Good Luck. All the best. Vera xxx |
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Anonymous £20.00 (+ £5.64 giftaid) 09.02.11 What a challenge, Chris! I would do such a thing in my dreams... Have contacted our Scottish friends and fingers are crossed. x F&N P |
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Nicki £50.00 (+ £14.10 giftaid) 07.02.11 Hi Chris, we may be able to help you with a bed when you reach the south coast (Selsy and Lymington). I'll keep an eye on your progress. Enjoy, you mad man ;) |
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Anonymous £20.00 (+ £5.64 giftaid) 06.02.11 Chris This is a wonderful idea. Good luck. Graham x |
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penny tighe £10.00 04.02.11 good luck chris |
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Cherrie, Malcolm, Ellie & Alex £20.00 (+ £5.64 giftaid) 04.02.11 If you pass my door Chris you will be fed and watered :-) though as I am in the middle of Bourton, you may have to divert a bit! Or make me your first or last port of call! Good luck, I admire you x |
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Dave rather you than me £10.00 03.02.11 This should get you a few weeks supply of blister ointment. |
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Marcelle £20.00 (+ £5.64 giftaid) 03.02.11 Your sentiments are perfect - so proud of you, Christopher! xxxxxxx |
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Millie Brierley £10.00 (+ £2.82 giftaid) 03.02.11 Good luck Chris! |
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Ella Cobert £10.00 02.02.11 its a start..when I am rich I will add more x |
