West Yorkshire homelessness charity Simon on the Streets has launched a summer walking challenge ‘Walk with Simon’ to highlight the plight of homeless people and raise funds.

Having tracked the distance a homeless person walks; an average day sees them travel 12-20 miles, sometimes even further, in search of food and accommodation.

The charity is asking people to step into the shoes of a homeless person and walk 26 miles throughout the month of August to raise vital funds for the charity to continue its work.

Undertaking the ‘Walk with Simon’ challenge, the charity’s chief executive, Natalie Moran, is taking on the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge, by walking 26 miles in one day. Natalie has already raised over £1,000 and further donations can be made here.

Participants can obtain fundraising packs by emailing admin@simononthestreets.co.uk.

Natalie Moran said:

We ask a lot of our supporters, to raise funds to ensure we can continue to provide homeless people across West Yorkshire with the practical and emotional support they need and I wanted to get involved too. It felt like a perfect way to mark my first year as Chief Executive and I really hope the public will join me in taking on the Walk with Simon challenge too!

Helen Cliff of So Contented is joining Natalie to walk the Yorkshire Three Peaks.

Helen said:

The stereotype of a homeless person asleep on a bench is just the tip of the iceberg, it’s day after day of pure survival.. As we come out of the pandemic, we’re counting ourselves extremely lucky that we don’t have to face these issues and have come out of the other side with our homes and our health. As a business, it is only right that we give back. 

Photo: Simon On The Streets