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Camino for a Cause

By Ricky

My Activity Tracking

26
kms

My target 800 kms

I'm walking 800km across Spain over 30 days to support youth homelessness

Hi everyone!

I work as a Therapeutic Youth Worker at Lighthouse Foundation. It has allowed me to enter the world of young people experiencing homelessness and family breakdowns and have a positive impact on their lives. It's challenging work, but it's rewarding. And most importantly, it's needed. Through Lighthouse, these young people get a chance to have the lives they deserve. Which includes feeling safe, cared for, and guided as they grow and thrive.


One of my favourite parts of the home I work in is the memory wall. This is where we stick up photos of different activities done with the young people. Think movies, museum visits, music concerts, festivals, go-karting, theme and adventure parks, camping, arcades, and day trips. Activity days are the young people's chance to put aside everything else going on just be young, having fun while also developing their relationships with the care team.


Unfortunately, the budget for these fun household shared activities is limited. Most funding from different sources goes towards the home operation costs, food, utilities, education and medical costs. Understandably, these things are a priority.


This brings me to the point of my fundraiser! I am specifically fundraising for the 'activity fund' for the Lighthouse home where I am based. This will mean the young people currently in the home and those to come, will have the opportunity to enjoy more activities and make more lasting memories!

On 16 May 2024 I'll be starting my journey of walking the Camino De Santiago - an  800km, 30 day pilgrimage from France to Spain. This has always been a bucket list item for me, but since working for Lighthouse, I now have the opportunity to do the 'Camino for a Cause'. 


While I'm walking the 800km, which also involves staying at 30 stops on the way,  I'll be thinking of the young people Lighthouse supports - drawing strength and inspiration from their stories of going from home to home, with limited belongings while also not knowing what their next 'home' looks like. 


If you can donate in any amount, myself, the wider Lighthouse team, and the young people we support, will truly appreciate it. 


Please Help Me
Reach My Goal

Raised

$1,952

My Goal

$5,000

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My Achievements

Fundraising page

Updated Profile Pic

Added a Blog Post

Received 5 Donations

Reached Goal

Increased Target

My Updates

Home stretch!

Sunday 16th Jun
As of today I've been walking for 1 month! The last 100 is the start of the home stretch. Sore feet but holding up well all considering.

Day 1 complete!

Friday 17th May
Starting off with 26km and the hardest day of the whole 800km, was a challenge.

We crossed the mountains and had a few showers. And we enjoyed the views and meeting fellow pilgrims. However after 10hrs the end could not have come sooner.

Ideally we would have done a shorter day but there was no available accomodation. 

Sore and stiff today, I think we have earned a rest day! 

The walk starts today!

Thursday 16th May
After 2 and a bit weeks of traveling through Bali and Europe, we are at the border of France ready to start! 

The countdown starts...

Friday 5th Apr
It's 1 month until we leave Australia and start making our way over to the start of a Camnio which will be on May 16th.. which means the countdown is on!

Over the long weekend we did Fort Nepean walking 15km then the Two Bays Track which is 30km. This gave us a good chance to experience what back-to-back days are like.

The scenery for both was amazing. We also saw some wildlife: kangaroos, snakes and birds. The snakes probably we weren't as excited to see.

I felt pretty good the next day too which is a good sign. I'll admit thinking about doing that 30km day almost 30 days in a row does scare me! But I also know that if I can do it once, I can keep doing it.

More updates to come.


Blog post about Youth Work

Monday 18th Mar
If you'd like to read more about my experience as a Youth Worker, you can read this blog post I wrote when I started my role: https://boyunderthebridge.com/in-the-trenches/

Thank you to my Sponsors

$211

Denny & Jacq

Love this! So proud of you, cuz! Have loved following along your journey.

$158.25

Anonymous

Great work, Ricky! So proud of you for doing this and all the positive things that you do.

$105.50

Nancyo

Found you via your comments on FB

$105.50

Christine Lysikatos

Well Done Ricky! : )

$105.50

Ben

Go you good thing! The Camino will be an amazing journey

$105.50

Naaz

Onya Ricky and Simone!

$105.50

Karen Moores

Good luck and be safe Ricky.

$105.50

Rachael Deason

All the best with it Ricky!

$105

Shereen Sawyer

So awesome to see this, Go Ricky, Go.

$72.79

Danuta

:)

$52.75

Jenny

Go Ricky and Simone!!

$52.75

Kaya Muray

So lucky to work with you Ricky!!!

$52.75

Sam Regan

Go Ricky! 🤩

$52.75

Jodie Eldridge

Love your work, Ricky!

$51

Jessica Fear

Love your passion Ricky. Great cause

$50

Tracey

You have just popped up on my Insta and I haven’t seen you for such a long time…I hate the algorithm!! I have just finished my Camino a few weeks ago, did Camino Frances starting in St Jean Pied de Port. Enjoy your last days :)You will miss it when you’re done, Buen Camino!

$50

Verity

Thanks for helping to make the world a better place!

$42.20

Michelle Zdraveski

Great cause! You got this Ricky 🙌🏼😊

$31.65

Mauroce Chibert

$26.38

Amanda Haack

Well done Ricky, you are doing a fab job.Thanks for sharing your journey.

$26.38

Jarron

Congratulations on your successful achievement.

$26.38

Kate Atkins

Go well, Ricky! 🤩

$26.38

Gabrielle Peck

This is amazing Ricky, you are an inspiration.

$26.38

Liz

Go Ricky! Enjoy the Camino!

$26.38

Nathan Cairns

$26

Anonymous

Good luck on the Camino! I'll be doing the Primitivo in October :)

$26

Pauly James

Buen Camino my friend! Thanks for inspiring my own Camino all those years ago, without even knowing it <3

$25

Alexandra Addinsall

Awesome stuff Ricky!

$21.10

Justin Tirant

xx

$20

Celine

This is an amazing cause and you're an incredible human taking each step (literally) to make a difference. Keep it up legend!

$20

Dylan Shipwreck

Really good cause man, hope your journey takes you to another level!

$18.99

Anonymous

Thank you Ricky - was nice meeting you yesterday!

$10.55

Karli Allen

Go Ricky! You’re awesome 👏

$10.55

Jaz

Go Ricky!! 😁