24 Hour Pilgrimage - battling the elements to raise more than £12,500 for Anna Chaplaincy

debbiethrower0
Sep 24
2 min read

This past weekend, September 20 and 21, PR executive Neil Bennett made a 24 Hour Pilgrimage to raise awareness of our Anna Chaplaincy ministry to older people.

He followed the 39-mile Peak Pilgrimage route from Ilam to Eyam, through Derbyshire’s southern peak district. Covering 25 miles in appalling weather on the Saturday, tracks became streams and the going was tough. He stopped at churches along the way to pray, and have his route ‘passport’ stamped.

The first day ended at dusk in Bakewell with a welcome change into dry clothes and a few hours rest before, thankfully, the Sunday dawned bright and clear. Neil ran the nine miles to St Anne’s, Baslow, in glorious sunshine and arrived for the morning service and a small family celebration in the church in which he and his wife were married.

Then it was back on the trail to complete his run at Eyam parish church, where Anna Chaplaincy lead Debbie Ducille and her husband Brian were there to thank him for all he’d done to raise money and awareness for Anna Chaplaincy.

Neil said after his run:

‘This was an absolutely unforgettable, moving and deeply spiritual journey that I will remember for the rest of my days.'

'When I suddenly had the idea of the 24 Hour Pilgrimage a few months ago, I thought I would do something small to celebrate caring for people living with dementia and raise a few pounds for Anna Chaplaincy: something that fused together faith and endurance. I had no idea what it would become. I feel we made a connection with so many people and though I ran on my own, I was never alone.

I have so many memories - of trial and turbulence yes (just as in life, there were times when I doubted myself and the whole venture), but mostly of love and fellowship - to treasure. It has all been truly life affirming.’

After he’d caught his breath and signed the book to show he’d completed the Peak Pilgrimage he joined Debbie and Brian and more than 50 people at the annual Anna Chaplaincy cream tea organised by local Anna Chaplain Sarah Lacey and an amazing team of volunteers in the village hall in Hartington.

We are so grateful to him for his amazing generosity in putting himself through such a gruelling challenge and for the raising the fantastic amount of £12,608 to date.

Neil adds as a footnote: 'As a PR person I’ve been trying to develop the ‘24 Hour Pilgrimage’ brand/concept so BRF and others can perhaps use it in future. For me there is something resonant about travelling around the clock and through a day and a night to reach your destination.'