A vicar in our diocese has recently completed a fundraising walk for MIND, walking along the paths of a saint. 
The Revd Maureen Browell, Vicar of West Barnsley, set out to walk St Cuthbert’s Way, which threads its way through the countryside of the Scottish Borders and Northumberland, joining together places associated with the 7th Century Saint.
Maureen wanted to complete the walk to follow up her previous fundraising efforts from last year, to support MIND’s work in her local area.
The walk began in the market town of Melrose in the Scottish Borders, and finished on the Holy Island of Lindisfarne on the edge of the North Sea.
It covered a distance of 62.5 miles, which neatly coincided with Maureen’s age, and was walked over four days, averaging 16 miles a day.
About the walk, Maureen said: “Walking alone gave me the opportunity to think, to pray and to appreciate the beauty of God’s creation.
“I walked at my own pace and paused to contemplate the views, the atmosphere and the things which were occupying my mind.
“Although I was spending up to 10 hours a day on my own, it was by choice and I noted the difference between solitude and loneliness.
“I would recommend the St Cuthbert’s Way walk to anyone, however, I’d encourage them to take longer than four days to complete it!”
Alongside the walk, Maureen also organised a couple of fundraising events involving food and music, along with a raffle with prizes generously donated from local businesses.
The successful completion of her walk, alongside these events, mean the total raised amounts to £4,426 at the time of writing.
Two members of staff from MIND attended the last fundraising event where the total amount raised was announced. The money shall be used to fund bereavement support.