Hello everyone! Let’s face it, for the last couple of years most of us have had our travel plans ripped to shreds in front of our eyes. And even amid ever-growing optimism, the short-term future stills feels uncertain for travel and tourism. So rather than worry about things, I’ve decided to start 2022 with something a little different…
I’ve signed up with the website End to End to take on their Trans-Europe Virtual Challenge – meaning that over the course of 2022 will be walking 1,600 miles (or approximately 2,575km!) across the continent on a virtual route passing through 9 countries!
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Although the entire journey is virtual, (so I’ll most likely be walking around London and the UK), the planned route starts from Calais in France, across Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, the Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary and Romania before finally ending in the tiny village of Rezovo, Bulgaria – just a stone’s throw away from the border with Turkey! To say I’m excited is a HUGE understatement!!
I am starting TODAY (January 1st 2022) and while undertaking this mammoth challenge, which I conservatively expect to take most of the coming new year (!!), I’ll be using it as a chance to fundraise for the following causes. All donations gratefully received will be split equally among: –
- The MAC is an Activity Centre for adults with learning disabilities based in South London who do a fantastic job with their team of dedicated and hard-working staff. My brother has been going there for several years now and absolutely loves it!
- Rotherhithe Waterside is a sheltered housing unit for the those over 55 who are still active and independent, but don’t wish to live on their own. Based in South London, working here was one of my first jobs and I still pop in to help out from time to time!
- ChildAid to Eastern Europe support orphaned and disabled children in countries across the former Soviet Union, including Ukraine and Belarus. As you’ve probably guessed, this combines both a cause and a region that are very close to my heart.
Even donating a few pounds/euros/dollars will help make a huge difference to many lives, so if you can then please DONATE HERE on my GoFundMe page – a giant thank you in advance for all your support!
If you can’t donate, please consider sharing this article with friends and family instead so that more people see it – the more people that find out about this challenge, potentially the more funds we can raise!
As stated before, any and all donations received will be split equally between all 3 causes. In the event that the amount raised is not divisible by 3, I will top up the amount personally to make sure it is divisible equally by 3 so each cause get the same donation made to them.
If you want to join me on this epic trek but don’t fancy all that walking, I’ll be posting regular updates to a LIVE BLOG detailing my progress over the coming weeks and months, talking about where I am along the route – and I’m sure I’ll throw in some Eurovision Song Contest playlists too!
All that’s left for me to say is thank you so much for all your support so far – it really means the world to me! ❤ I’ll see you out on the road – first stop, France! Wish me luck!
Author: James Scanlan
Banner Image Source: Edited from endtoend.run – all heart logos belong to the Eurovision Song Contest, no copyright infringement intended
Europe in a Day 