Skip to content Skip to menu Skip to footer

E v e r y o n e
d e s e r v e s
a    p l a c e    t o
c a l l    h o m e

Fundraising manager smashes target with 50km charity walk

Hopestead's fundraising manager Chris Elliott has successfully completed a 50-kilometre challenge, raising over £2,000 to help end homelessness.

Chris, 58, and walking companion Matt Roach completed the challenge in around 11 hours, starting from Eaton Park in Norwich and weaving through the Norfolk countryside via the Kett's Country Long Distance Trail. The pair smashed their original £1,000 target, with both Chris and Matt raising over £1,000 each on their JustGiving pages.

Chris said he was shattered, but satisfied at the end of the walk. He said: “It was lovely countryside but challenging underfoot. The first section, to Wymondham, was on proper paved footpaths, then there was a long section where we were walking on hard tracks, in the hottest part of the day.

“We finished at Norwich Cathedral and then went for a pint at the Wig and Pen. Then I went home and pretty much couldn't keep my eyes open.”

Money raised will go to support Hopestead’s projects including Hope at Home, which provides essential furniture and appliances for families moving from homelessness into permanent accommodation.

Chris said the money raised would be enough to kit out a home with a wardrobe, chest of drawers, double bed, mattress, bedding, cooker, washing machine, fridge freezer, kettle, microwave, toaster, curtains and sofa.

fundraisers

Matt Roach, left, and Hopestead fundriasing manager Chris Elliott after their epic 50km charity walk.

He said Hope at Home's approach of letting people choose their own furnishings has proved hugely successful, helping people feel proud of their new homes and preventing them from returning to homelessness.

Chris said: "When you've had no control over where you live, choosing your own sofa means everything."

fundraising walk hopestead

Chris Elliott has his hair dyed blue by David Powles, CEO of the Norfolk Community Law Service, in the early stages of his walk. Chris promised to go blue up top if he raised at least £500 before setting off on the trek - a target he easily he easily reached.

Chris said: "When you've had no control over where you live, choosing your own sofa means everything."

The Kett's Country Long Distance Trail is an 18-mile (29km) route that launched in March 2022, making it the newest addition to Norfolk's trail network.

The trail follows the historic path of Kett's Rebellion, starting in Wymondham where the uprising began in July 1549 and finishing in Eaton where Robert Kett crossed with his followers on their journey to Norwich. Chris said he and Matt took some detours to bring the distance up to 50km.

chris sponsors

Chris Elliott, centre, with Linda Marshall and Kristian Tangen-Sorgandal from Spire Solicitors, which sponsored the walk.

Chris said he and Matt wanted to thank everyone who had donated to their appeal, including Spire Solicitors, who became the challenge’s corporate sponsors.

The fundraising pages remain open for further donations to support Hopestead's work, visit https://www.justgiving.com/page/chris-elliott-50k or https://www.justgiving.com/page/matt-roach-3 to donate.

Hope at Home helps people transition from homelessness by providing essential furniture and appliances when they move into their first permanent accommodation. Every donation helps someone turn four walls into a real home.

Want to support Hope at Home? Find out more about the project here or contact Chris at chris.elliott@hopestead.org