Essex: Knights of St Columba step out for charity

Basildon team

Historically, the Brentwood Catholic Children's Society (BCCS), has been supported across Essex with a series of yearly fundraising walks organised by local groups of the Knights of Saint Columba (KSC), and 2017 has been no exception.

The BCCS, which does not receive direct funding from the Diocese of Brentwood, relies on these individual walks as a major source of their fundraising for their work in supporting children in both Catholic and non Catholic schools around Essex and East London.

Walks were held in different parishes including through the beautiful countryside of Epping Forest by the KSC in Chingford, between two parish churches in Basildon, and a seafront walk between parishes in Southend-on-Sea. The walks raised four figure sums and fine weather was enjoyed by each group. However, it was not just about the money. Both Basildon and Southend events began with Mass with Father Joseph Whisttock walking from his parish of Our Lady Help of Christians and Saint Helen in Westcliff-on-Sea to the parish of Saint George and the English Martyrs in Shoeburyness. At the end of the walks, refreshments gave a chance for all to socialise while resting their feet and cooling down from their fine efforts.