A FROME man has completed a 1,500km walk raising over £5,000 in aid of the children’s charity UNICEF.
Tom Cheesman, manager of the Crown Hotel in Frome, departed from Le Puy in France on the 20th April and after two months reached his destination in Santiago de Compostela in Spain on Sunday 19th June. Tom followed in the footsteps of St James along an old Christian Pilgrimage route.
He said, “I have wanted to walk this route for nearly seven years, after reading Paulo Coehlo’s ‘The Pilgrimage’. This particular route starts in le Puy en Velay, France and traverses the Pyrenees before finishing in the city of Santiago de Compostela in the north-west of Spain.
“I was overwhelmed by the support I received, but now I feel more overwhelmed as I am returning to reality, needing to find a job!”
Tom is now looking to publish his experience in a photographic coffee table styled journal. Once published he has pledged to give 50% of any profits to UNICEF and a further 25% to smaller local charities of his choosing.
All the funds raised will support UNICEF’s work with children in more than 190 countries. UNICEF’s practical programmes help protect the rights of all children around the world. UNICEF helps to provide the healthcare, nutrition, education and protection children need to survive and thrive. For more information on UNICEF’s work please visit www.unicef.org.uk
Tom is still collecting donations. To make a donation to ‘The Way To Santiago’ fundraising venture please visit www.supportunicef. org.uk/thewaytosantiago
For further information please contact: Tom Chees-man on 07970 937851, email tom@tomcheesman. co.uk or visit www.thewaytosantiago.co.uk
