A Holmfirth charity worker has pledged to walk from coast to coast to raise funds to take the young people she supports on holiday.
Sara Howarth, who works at Huddersfield Road supported housing in Holmfirth, is to trek 73 miles along Hadrian’s Wall in the hope of bringing in £1,000 sponsorship money.
The support worker, along with her colleagues, plans to take the five young people who live at the scheme on their first independent holiday, to a cottage in Whitby.
Sara had planned to complete the three-day long hike with her supported housing co-worker Elisa. But due to health reasons, she will now be accompanied instead by her 14-year-old son Lucian, who attends Colne Valley High School in Linthwaite.
The pair plan to set off on Friday April 22 and will complete their journey on the following Sunday, having spent two nights wild camping amongst the Roman forts, towers and turrets.
The expedition will take the mother and son team from Wallsend on the east coast of England to Bowness-on-Solway on the west coast.
Huddersfield Road supported housing helps five young adults, aged 18-25, who are living with mental health problems to live as independently as possible. The service provides tailored and flexible care via a 24/7 on-site support team.
The team empowers young people to achieve their full potential, including improving mental health and wellbeing, teaching daily living skills, financial inclusion and helping with access to work with the goal of one day living fully independently.
It is operated by national adult health and social care charity Making Space, which turns 40 this year. Charity workers all over the UK are completing sponsored challenges to make 2022 a bumper fundraising year for the charity, which has its headquarters in Warrington, Cheshire.
Sara said: “Both me and Lucian love the outdoors but walking the length of Hadrian’s Wall in three days is definitely taking us both out of our comfort zones.
“We hope to raise as much money as we can to give the young adults an opportunity to have a summer holiday by the sea and to get experiences they haven’t been fortunate enough to enjoy before.
“We know that the young adults we support are destined for great things, and that’s why we are going to show them what’s achievable. We would be grateful if you could donate to help us achieve our goal.”
Sara hopes to raise £1,000 to take the young people who live at Huddersfield Road supported housing to Whitby and you can donate here https://www.gofundme.com/f/give-young-adults-a-lifetime-opportunity
