Lent begins this year on 22nd February and attention is turning to Lenten plans and commitments. Across the country, schools, parishes, groups, and individuals are lacing up their walking shoes to walk in faith and solidarity, with CAFOD’s Big Lent Walk.
During lockdowns in England and Wales, CAFOD launched the Walk for Water in Lent 2021 which raised £750,000 for vital water projects in some of the most drought-stricken regions of the world. Walk Against Hunger followed last Lent 2022.
“The Big Lent Walk has become something we can all look forward to”, says Angela Powell from CAFOD’s North East team. “It’s a great event for children and adults to step outdoors and appreciate our God-given environment. We can act out our faith as part of something that brings about change for the better”. Last year, local CAFOD supporter -Tony Strike from Sacred Heart parish in Sheffield set himself a challenge to walk 200km to raise funds to help some of the 200 million children in the world whose lives are at risk of malnutrition. Before he set off, Tony said: “In many parts of the world people don’t know where their next meal is coming from. It really doesn’t matter if you are a rambler or a runner, this is such an important issue, raising awareness of the effects of malnutrition, and raising funds to alleviate hunger.”
The Big Lent Walk is an opportunity for a school, a parish, or a group of friends to plan now to walk together. Or simply, a chance to commit to some timeout and quiet reflection along the way. Walk when and where you choose over 40 days, alone or with friends, have fun or take time to pray and reflect. As a Lent commitment, it’s an inspiring way to actively commit to bringing our faith physically into every day of Lent, and support people as they overcome poverty.
Find out more at: https://cafod.org.uk/Fundraise/Big-Lent-Walk
