James BryceAN expat writer is walking 430 kilometres across Andalucia in a bid to raise thousands for sherpa children in Nepal.
Guy Hunter-Watts, author of The Andalucian Coast to Coast Walk, will retrace the route from his book beginning in Maro, near Nerja, on April 27, before finishing by the Roman ruins at Bolonia on May 17.
The El Gastor-based writer, who has written a number of walking and travel books on Spain, is being joined by up to 100 fellow walkers.
The money raised will go towards The Buddha Memorial Children’s Home Trust and The Sherpa School, which receive no funding from the Nepalese government.
“We’ve had a terrific response,” Hunter-Watts, 52, from Bristol, told the Olive Press.
“I’m hoping we will raise 50,000 euros and every euro will go to good use.”
The route, which takes in seven natural parks, stunning mountain trails and picturesque white villages, will be completed in 17 stages of between 16 and 27 kilometres in length.
So far 70 people have signed up to take part, with at least seven brave souls undertaking the entire walk.
“We have some people doing a week, while others are just doing two or three days,” said Hunter-Watts, who has lived in Spain for 24 years.
“It is a very diverse and multinational group.
There are people coming from lots of different countries and they include a film director and a woman who’s sailed around the world solo,” he said.
Hunter-Watts added. “We’re not going to rush, we’ll be stopping for picnics and water breaks along the way.
Hopefully it will be a lot of fun.”
The author, who sponsors two children through the charity, added that he hopes the walk will inspire others to sponsor a child too.
The walk is being sponsored by UK-based financial company Ardtalla, which is helping with logistics and funding.
Spanish-based representative Robin Adams said: “Corporate Social Responsibility is a big part of what Ardtalla and St. James’s Place do – advocating, supporting and sponsoring a diverse range of events and projects.
We are delighted to make a positive impact by supporting the Buddha Memorial Childrens Home Trust.”
Everything is going well apart from the need to get a support driver between April 27 and 30 between Nerja and Alcaucin and from May 9 to 14 between Ronda and Los Barrios.
Anyone interested in joining the walk or to support the charity should contact Guy on: 616057184 or info@rondatejar.com.
For more information about the charity visit: www.helpingnepalschildren.org
What a wonderful thing to do for a wonderful cause. I have a copy of the book and hope to do one or two of the less strenuous parts one day. Good luck to you all, and especially to you Guy and to Layla Patterson, the treasurer of the Charity.
I was sitting in the center of Frigiliana yesterday morning when I was suddenly surrounded by dozens of people with rucksacks and walking boots.
I knew Guy was passing through and I had a quick chat with him and some of his group before they started off.
Its a great route and a fine charity to support.
If you see him or his group passing through your town or village, then don’t forget to support them.
We got to Bolonia, the end of the walk, on Tuesday. It was a great moment. Everyone who had aimed to complete the whole route made it all the way. We had a fantastic time and we’re sure we’ve raised lots for the charity.
Every one of the 21 walks in the book is excellent – and each has a different character. I’d strongly recommend giving some or all of them a try.
I remember chatting to you in Frigiliana John! Seems like a long time ago!
We joined the gang for the El burgo to Ronda leg – 25kms – and could hardly move the next day… but great fun nonetheless. What a clever idea, a fabulous route, and a great cause to support. Also good to see Guy HW in his element in the wilds of Andalucia.
Congratulations to all who took part…. you must have legs of steel!!
yours
jon