A Berkhamsted resident is walking a historic pilgrimage route in support of a charity which helps people with convictions to gain employment.
The Via Francigena is a popular 3,200km route from Canterbury to Rome and has been an important route for pilgrims since medieval times.
Christopher Colman, known as roamiirome on social media, said that once he researched the trek, he became determined to complete it himself. He set off on Monday, May 27, and has been documenting his travels in support of No Going Back.
The charity launched in June 2020 with the aim of reducing reoffending among released prisoners. Since then, nearly 2,000 participants have benefited from No Going Back’s services, with a five per cent reoffending rate compared to the global average of 25.8 per cent.
To help train for the event, Christopher walked 49km from Berkhamsted Castle to Windsor Castle in one day.
At the time of writing, Christopher, who is a lawyer, has raised more than £3,800 for the charity.
He shared: “Some people feel that those who are convicted are deserving of unemployment. That’s not the case. If we don’t give one leg up to those with no support, they are going to reoffend.
“It’s an amazing area of charitable work and all donations really make a proper dent in the issue.”
To donate, visit Christopher’s fundraising page at www.t.ly/mXtrm and keep up to date with his travels on social media by following @roamiirome.
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