A Big Thank You from Bob Gill

The Big Lent Walk – A Pilgrimage of Solidarity and Hope

CAFOD BIG LENT WALK

Bob walked 442 km (or 276 miles) and raised £770.

A parishioner from St Hilda’s Whitby, Bob Gill,  has completed the CAFOD (Catholic Agency For Overseas Development)  Big Lent Walk. 

The aim for people (individuals or groups) taking part in the Big Lent Walk, which started on Ash Wednesday and finished at Easter, is to walk 200 kilometres (km), (approximately 125 miles) over the period of Lent and to collect donations of £200. The distance is equivalent to 5km (or 3 miles) per day over the forty days of Lent. Bob walked 442 km (or 276 miles) and raised £770.

Bob is a keen walker and walks regularly with his local walking group in Whitby. It is the third consecutive year that he has undertaken the Big Lent Walk. He participated in the walk to raise funds for CAFOD to support their overseas aid programme.

In March, he went on a walking holiday, enjoying the craggy landscape of the Yorkshire Dales, which boosted his daily mileage. Bob especially likes CAFOD’s environmental work, particularly for island projects and their efforts to re-build, heal and improve  the lives of the poor and needy.

Bob saw his participation in the CAFOD Big Lent Walk as part of his Lenten obligations, providing time for prayer and contemplation in his daily walks, and in alms giving, through the donations target.

In previous years Bob made a small personal donation to CAFOD or received donations from friends and members of his walking group. It was also an opportunity to inform people (outside the church), of the work carried out by CAFOD. 

£582 was donated by St Hilda’s parishioners

This year, before starting the Big Lent Walk, Bob approached his parish priest, Father Michael Sellars, to ask if he would advertise his walk in the church newsletter, which he did. The response from parishioners at St Hilda’s Whitby has been overwhelming. From the £770 raised, £582 was donated by St Hilda’s parishioners. Bob wishes to thank Father Sellars and the St Hilda’s parishioners for their support and generosity and hopes to take part in the Big Lent Walk in 2026.

Bob Gill’s ‘Big Lent Walk’ Just Giving Page Here