A heartbreaking experience has led one York woman to undertake a 100-mile charity walk to help vulnerable children.
Catherine Adamson from Huntington, intends to walk the entire length of the Cleveland Way, wild camping along the way, to support two children’s charities.
The Island – supports York children aged 8-13 who are struggling to cope at home, at school, or in the wider community
SASH – works to prevent youth homelessness in York, North Yorkshire and East Yorkshire
Go here to donate to her fundrasing campaign
Several years ago Catherine and her husband, Bill Adamson, adopted two children, but sadly it didn’t work out.
The couple felt the children were in desperate need of more professional support for past trauma and mental health issues which wasn’t available to them.
After a two-year adoption process, the couple had to make the agonising decision to end the adoption.
Making a difference
Catherine now wants to make sure other people avoid the heartbreak they encountered by supporting local charities offering help to young people.
“Four years ago my husband and I were totally devastated by the loss of two children as a result of adoption disruption,” she said.
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“It was clear to us that the support needed by vulnerable children was just not available. There was no money and no urgency to the long-term support that was needed.
“I can’t do anything now for the children we lost, but I want to try and make a difference to the lives of other children and young people. I want to try and prevent what happened to our children from happening again.”
A triple challenge
Catherine will be setting off on Saturday 2nd June from Helmsley and will spend the next seven days walking the 109 miles to Filey.
During her seven day walk across the North York Moors and the Yorkshire Coast, the intrepid businesswoman will be carrying everything she needs for her challenge and wild camping along her route.
Catherine told YorkMix:
For me, at 51, this is a real triple challenge.
The walking itself will be tough, the wild camping scary and a very new experience, and carrying all of my gear is going to be a struggle.
I’m doing regular training walks and strength exercises to ensure that I can complete this challenge in one piece.
Catherine will be walking to mark the tenth anniversary of her business, Kaleidoscope Virtual Assistant Services, and as well as walking 109 miles she hopes to raise £10,000 for her chosen charities.