mobile-site : Welcome to Burton upon Trent Corps of The Salvation Army

you here : homepage > resources > news > story 11

Andy Peddle visits Burton

18-month trek to end human trafficking

by 'HELEN KREFT' (Burton Mail)

A PENSIONER has made a stop in Burton as part of a charity walk across the UK and Ireland to raise £100,000 for The Salvation Army’s work with homeless people and victims of human trafficking.

Andy Peddle

Andy Peddle doing fund-raising walk at the Salvation Army Church on Mosely St, to help those caught in human trafficking.

Andy Peddle arrived at Burton Salvation Army’s Mosley Street church this morning as part of his 18-month-long fund-raising bid.

The 70-year-old has already travelled through Chesterton, Tunstall, Kidsgrove and Leek, as well as visiting Port Vale and Stoke City Football Club.

Having started his epic journey on May 16, last year, in the Shetland Islands, he is walking to more than 800 Salvation Army churches (corps), Lifehouses and charity shops and every league football club throughout the UK. At each Salvation Army base, he will give a talk about the issues of human trafficking and homelessness. He is hoping to raise awareness as well as much-needed funds.

He said: “The Salvation Army has a long history of offering practical support to people who are vulnerable or in need. We are there for 3,500 homeless men, women and families every night.”

The walkathon is a pilgrimage for Mr Peddle too – he and his wife have rented out their home and his wife has relocated centrally to Leeds. A support van follows him on his trek so he can have a break and sleep whenever needed.

While resting in Sunderland, thieves broken into the vehicle. Mr Peddle said: “We lost a couple of cameras with our first five months’ pictures on them. These events either knock you down or make you stronger. It has made me more determined than ever to finish what I’ve started – to raise £100,000 to help The Salvation Army make a difference in the lives of others.”

The walker, from High Wycombe, in Buckinghamshire, is keen to see people support him by doing their own ‘mini’ sponsored walks of one mile or more – and for them to put pictures of the places they visit on Facebook, Twitter and Flickr.

He added: “I want people over the age of 65 to realise that life does go on and that you can volunteer and become involved. I would love to see as many people as possible support us in this project.”

Major Samuel Edgar, leader of The Salvation Army in the West Midlands Division, said: “The Salvation Army hopes that, as a culture, we will start viewing people who are ‘homeless’ as people who have a contribution to make in our society. It is fantastic that Andy is taking on this personal pilgrimage to help those truly in need.”

Anyone can follow his progress by visiting www.salvationarmy.org.uk/uki/walk

 

extract from the Burton Mail 11th February 2013