Members of staff from a charity in Bedford are taking on a 24-hour ultra-marathon to raise vital funds and inspire others to support people rebuilding their lives.
Stuart McCaw and Luck Clements from HopeWorks UK are aiming to cover 81 miles throughout Bedfordshire in under 24 hours as part of the Pilgrim’s Reckoning challenge.
The event takes place on Saturday, 12 September, and is inspired by The Pilgrim’s Progress, written in 1678 by Bedford’s own John Bunyan, which details the challenges faced by Christian on his pilgrimage.
Starting and finishing at Bedford Greenacres school, the route follows the Bunyan Trail and takes in much of the county, including Barton-Le-Clay, Harlington, Ampthill, Cranfield, Bromham and Clapham.
For the team from HopeWorks, the challenge reflects the journeys that many people across Bedfordshire face every day, and they hope to reach their £5,000 fundraising target.
Life changing
And fundraising manager Stuart told the Bedford Independent that since receiving a cancer diagnosis, it has given him even greater empathy with the people that the charity supports.
“Last year, my cancer diagnosis turned my life upside down,” he said.
“It gave me a far deeper understanding of what it feels like when life suddenly changes outside of your control, and how important the support of others is.
“This challenge is our way of stepping alongside the challenges faced in our community.”
Colleague Luke, the charity’s pathways manager, is walking the route, and he says the challenge is a metaphor for the journeys taken by the people HopeWorks supports.
“There is rarely a quick fix,” he said.
“Recovery, stability and hope take time, and community is essential. Trust is built one conversation, one decision and one step at a time.
“That’s what HopeWorks is about. We don’t just respond to immediate need- we build relationships, restore confidence and help people move towards a better future.
“Pilgrim’s Reckoning captures that perfectly. It’s about endurance, perseverance and believing that every step matters.”
As the official charity partner of Pilgrim’s Reckoning, HopeWorks is encouraging local people, businesses, churches and community groups to sponsor Stuart and Luke as they tackle the demanding 81-mile route through day and night.
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Perseverance and hope
“Bedford has always been a town shaped by stories of perseverance and hope,” said Stuart.
“Pilgrim’s Reckoning isn’t simply about completing an endurance event. Every day at HopeWorks we meet people navigating incredibly difficult journeys.
“Whether someone is experiencing homelessness, rebuilding after trauma, escaping abuse, overcoming addiction, seeking asylum, facing poverty or isolation, meaningful change happens one step at a time.
“As Fundraising Manager, my role is to facilitate our community with opportunities to step into change.
“Every day we ask people to use what they have-whether that’s their time, treasure or talents – to help create hope for others. It feels right that, as staff, we’re practising what we preach.
“We all have something we can give, and this challenge is simply our way of using what we have to inspire others to walk alongside us.”
Every pound raised by Stuart, Luke and the other competitors will help HopeWorks continue walking alongside people when they need it most, ensuring more individuals and families have the support, relationships and opportunities they need to move forward with hope.
To sponsor Stuart and Luke, visit their fundraising page here.
You can find out more information about the Pilgrim’s Reckoning and sign up to take part here.
