Suffolk: World Youth Day youngsters in 20-mile walk

Walking team from Bury St Edmunds

Source: Diocese of East Anglia

Five young people from Bury St Edmunds completed a 20-mile walk on one of the coldest days of 2022 to help raise funds so that they can attend World Youth Day in Lisbon, Portugal, this summer.

On Saturday, 3 December, in sub-zero temperatures, a group of five young people received a blessing from St Edmund King and Martyr parish priest Fr David Bagstaff on the church steps at 8.30am as they were about to set off on foot to try to reach Clare Priory by dusk.

Clotilde and Kirsten (15), Adam (16) and Oscar and Luc (17) are hoping to be part of the diocesan group which will attend World Youth Day, a special event for 16-35 year-olds hosted by Pope Francis, this summer in Lisbon, Portugal. Hence this sponsored walk to raise funds towards the cost of what they know will be an unforgettable experience!

Luc's mother Aude Wallace, from St Edmund King and Martyr parish, said: "The walk itself, was around 20 miles and ended up being quite a challenge as that particular Saturday turned out to be one of the coldest days of the year. The temperature never quite reached 0 celsius during their walk! But with a little help from some warm scarves, hats and gloves and hot flasks of soup, as well as a little encouragement from their fellow parishioner Michael who accompanied them, they made it to Clare Priory in a little less than seven hours."

If you would like to sponsor these young people, you can donate by clicking this LINK they will be very grateful!