Walk with Cry Jersey for Filipino children

Sunday 22 April 2018

Cry Jersey is inviting islanders to join in their annual Western Walkathon on 12 May to help raise funds for the Father's refuge, one of the charity's projects in the Philippinnes which provides meals and education to the Badjao children, a poor minority group living in the area.

Participants will be able to choose from three different distances, 21 miles for anyone wanting a serious challenge, 13 miles or the shorter six mile walk.

All walks will start and finish at the first lay-by on Victoria Avenue. The 21 mile route will be turning off at Millbrook to head through the Waterworks Valley, then on through the country lanes of St. Lawrence, St. Mary and St. Ouen, before heading down towards St. Ouen's Bay. It will then follow the  Five Mile road to Corbière, then turn back to town via the railway walk and the seafront path.

The 13 mile route to Corbière and back or six miles to St. Aubin and back are designed for those who might feel daunted by 21 miles. Cry Jersey said: "We want you to enjoy the walk, whichever distance you choose, and know that you are raising funds to change a child’s life."

Pictured: Last September, a fire swept through the village where Cry's project is based.

Many of the children at the Father's refuge are malnourished and cannot afford education. Last September, a huge fire swept through the village destroying the homes of 1,500 people. Luckily no one was injured but the families have since been living in makeshift tents and have lost all their belongings. Cry have been supporting them with necessities such as food and clothes as well as medical supplies. The charities is also helping families in their efforts to re-build their lives.

Last year, Cry's Walkathon raised nearly £3,000 to support work at a distribution centre for refugees coming over from Syria in Athens. The charity explained: "There  is almost no government support for the families and they are not allowed to work, so any support CRY can provide is life changing for them. We are also supporting refugees in the war torn areas of Lebanon and Iraq."