 Kayaking for the homeless
On Sat 30th myself and 4 friends are kayaking from Brighton to Bognor – 30 miles along the south coast (we were originally going to do the English Channel but thought that too risky).
We are doing the kayak in aid of ex-offenders and homeless in Peterborough and Cambridge for a charity I have helped set-up called Hope into Action. (www.hopeintoaction.org.uk )
Those of us who set it up feel the primary need of the homeless is a home; and a quality home at that (we have seen grown men cry when they first walk into our houses). We match the home with professional support and then a positive community offered by a local church.
Specifically you will be helping John and Bob who spent the winter sleeping in a tent pitched in the nettles by the river. John is over 40 and illiterate. You will also be helping Nick and his partner Jane who is 8 months pregnant. Neither had anywhere to live. We have taken them (and others in similar situations) into a home, in partnership with a local church who, with a non-judgemental attitude, try to use their human resources and social networks to support their needs. This approach has already won an award from the National Recovery Agency. We are excited about the vision of the churches meeting some of the most significant need in our cities.
In total we have 5 homes up and running and are in the process of completing 2 more.
I will also be working full time for this charity from 1st August (assuming I don’t drown 2 days before).
If you felt like supporting our kayak-stupidity then I know the guys and girls in our houses would be very grateful for every penny we can channel their way. Here are three fun ways to support us:
1) Just giving: http://www.justgiving.com/Ed-Walker1
2) If you want to support on a regular basis then click on our donate now button on www.hopeintoaction.org.uk NB this is the cheapest way of donating on line that we have found.
3) Text us upto £10: This is completely free, really quick and you can gift aid it as well.The money given will come onto your next bill.
Details of how to do this are below:
Thanks loads
Ed
How to text:
If you want to donate by text you can give the following amounts only (1,2,3,4,5,10). Here is how: Text this message:
HIAS 11 and then put in the amount you want to donate: 1,2,3,4,5,10. Then send it to the following number: 70070
| 