“We would have complete admiration for anybody who would want to do it or support it” – CAFOD Salford encouraging people to “Walk for Water”

CAFOD, the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development, are encouraging people to raise money and awareness by walking 10,000 steps a day throughout the 40 days of Lent.

Simon Holleron, Community Participation Coordinator for Salford diocese, is taking part alongside his colleague Steve Burrowes.

He said: “I eventually thought ‘I best sign up for this because I’m asking all these people to do it!’”

Simon & Steve have taken up the Walk for Water challenge themselves, to walk an average of 10,000 steps a day during Lent. So if you would like to support them to provide clean water for those who don't have this vital resource then please click here. https://t.co/k6wJR8TwhT pic.twitter.com/bGxjIr5EJt

— CAFOD in Salford (@CAFODSalford) February 23, 2021

Although the campaign asks you to “Walk for Water”, CAFOD have said that participants can run, jump, skip or even dance their way to their 10,000 steps, as long as they put their “heart and soul into it”.

The inspiration behind the idea is Abdella, 23, who lives in Ethiopia – one of the hottest places on Earth.

Abdella must walk for 10 hours every day to get a small amount of water.

According to CAFOD Salford, a £10 donation has the ability to purchase a sturdy water container so that a family can store water safely.

Mr Holleron said that the idea of the campaign is to “raise awareness of the plight of these people”.

“We’ve focused on Abdella, but he is just one of many.”

Although the 40 days of Lent have already begun, CAFOD are keen to point out that it is not too late for the people of Salford to take part and show their support.

Mr Holleron said: “If anyone said, ‘actually, I’d like to do that’, whether they do it for the solidarity and raise the awareness or said ‘I know I haven’t got 40 days but let’s get some sponsorship’ – that would be amazing.

“We would have complete admiration for anybody who would want to do it or support it.”

The organisation has been raising awareness in other ways, including connecting with schools and encouraging children to draw water droplets for their windows, which they can then spot while doing their steps.

In the coming weeks, CAFOD are also encouraging people to hold a virtual coffee morning or Hot Cross Bun morning in aid of raising awareness and money for the campaign.

With 168 partners in 33 countries, CAFOD is one of the largest Church networks in the world and is part of a wider network, Caritas Internationalis.

Although a Catholic organisation, CAFOD support people of any or no religion across the globe and have provided some vital support, education and supplies during the coronavirus crisis:

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“With the pandemic, by the end of this year, there are still going to be 150 million people round the world in extreme poverty and another 130 million will be left hungry.

“When we complain about things here, its right that we complain at times, but we don’t realise in a sense how well-off we are.”

Mr Holleron said: “We’ve been really bowled over by the support we’ve had so far.”

(Featured Image Credit: CAFOD)

He added: “Although our funds are down a bit, we’ve been really well supported. They haven’t dropped off a cliff, people are trying to be innovative.

“We really want to say a big thank you to all the people who have supported us and please keep on supporting us.”

To find out more about the challenge, click here. Anyone wishing to donate to Simon’s Walk for Water, can do so here.