Mark Harmer, 45, from Harmans Water, walked for three weeks in May to raise awareness of debt charity Christians Against Poverty (CAP),
advertisement
Trek raises cash for charity which saved tradesman from suicide
By Becky BarnesJune 25, 2012
A tradesman who embarked on a 220-mile trek from Bracknell to Bradford had to wade through waist-high water to complete his goal.
Mark Harmer, 45, from Harmans Water, walked for three weeks in May to raise awareness of debt charity Christians Against Poverty (CAP), who helped save him from committing suicide when his debt spiralled out of control.
Mark said: “I walked through floods in Oxfordshire and when I turned up at my host’s house I looked like a drowned rat.
“It was a tough challenge but the thought of a bath at my next destination kept me going.
“I have met some new friends and fantastic people along the way too.”
The 45-year-old planned a route to incorporate as many CAP centres as possible and stopped by them on the way.
Tradesman's fundraiser for charity which offered him a lifeline
He said: “I had a sign on my back and if I sat down people would come and ask me what I was doing.
“Their response was brilliant and local newspapers and a local radio station covered my journey too.”
Mark arrived in Bradford on Tuesday, May 22, raising nearly £2,000 for the debt charity and managed to stick to his planned route despite bad weather.
He said: “I am now planning my next event – I am a qualified scuba diver so might try and do 24 hours or 48 hours under water, or a sky dive.”
John Kirkby's Blog - 1 May 2012 from Christians Against Poverty on Vimeo.
CAP is a UK network of support services providing debt counselling and advice to people in need.
For further information on the charity, visit the website www.capdebthelp.org or call 08003 280 006.
Browse Sections
