“... this has been a brilliant yet humbling experience. The walk’s been very hard work but, frankly, it pales into insignificance compared to the sort of challenges being tackled by some people.”
Neil Stephenson CEO Onyx
May 20th 2011 saw supporters and staff of The Cyrenians, take a 42k (27 mile) hike around the region as part of a fundraising walk to celebrate and raise awareness of the Charity’s work and its 40th Anniversary.
Overall 40 people took part including staff from Onyx, Greggsand United Carlton; all staunch supporters of The Cyrenians work through its ‘Business Action on Homelessness’ programme.
Neil Stephenson, the exhausted but exhilarated Chief Executive of Onyx, said:
“For me and my colleague Alistair Waite this has been a brilliant yet humbling experience. The walk’s been very hard work but, frankly, it pales into insignificance compared to the sort of challenges being tackled by some people.
“The route took us to a number of The Cyrenians’ projects where Alistair and I saw, at first hand, some of the work that takes place and we met some of the people who benefit from to The Cyrenians help and support.
“For us, as walkers, giving up was an option. At The Cyrenians they don’t see it that way – they’re absolutely steadfast in their support. They really do change lives and build futures through their work.”
Stephen Bell, Chief Executive of the Cyrenians, said (well, gasped actually):
“I’d like to thank everyone who took part by walking with us and sponsoring us today.
“We know that for those who come to us for help the going does get tough. The journey they travel away from their problems such as homeless or addiction can be very painful and often take longer than they expect.
“Whilst sometimes it’s really hard to keep going - at the end of the day – you know it was completely worthwhile and very rewarding.”
The walk started atThe Cyrenians’ emergency accommodation near DurhamThe Fells, and went onto Ron Eager House on Westgate Road in the west end of Newcastle, Virginia House in Byker with the jubilant walkers finishing at the Linskill Centre in North Tyneside.
If you wish to support Stephen, please follow this link to Just Giving site; www.justgiving.com/Stephen-Bell0
The Cyrenians provides emergency accommodation, rehabilitation, and training and employment opportunities to vulnerable and homeless people in and around the North East. The charity employs over 200 people, has a volunteer team of over 150 and provides support to over 800 individual people each week.
