Formerly homeless Prestonian completes Guild Wheel walk for charity who helped her get back on her feet

A formerly homeless woman from Preston is appealing for sponsorship for her 21-mile Guild Wheel walk, which was organised to raise funds for a local charity that helped her out of homelessness.

The young mum embarked on Lancashire’s historic circuit on Saturday 17 July in aid of Emmaus Preston, a charity providing accommodation, work and training opportunities for up to 26 formerly homeless people.

Beckie arrived at the charity in 2019 after becoming homeless and separated from her two children following a relationship breakdown with her ex-partner.

She was living from hostel to hostel when she went to Emmaus Preston for help.

Beckie said: “I am used to walking. I walked a lot when I was living in hostels because they’re not 24-hour places. I used to walk to find food, safety or to shelter from the weather because I didn’t have anywhere else to stay.

“Emmaus has changed my life really. I wouldn’t be where I am now, with my kids, without this place. Everyone who donates something, gives money or shops at Emmaus Preston is basically helping give people new lives.

“The walk was me doing my bit alongside the other people who organised it, to give something back.”

With her new found confidence from working in the charity’s retail stores on Brookfield Street, Fishergate and Deepdale, Beckie has enrolled in a college course to pursue her dream of working in social care.

Director of Emmaus Preston Stephen Buchanan said: “We’re so proud of Beckie, the other charity supporters and the people from our community who have since moved on, who all came back to support Beckie during her sponsored walk.

“People who shop in our Preston charity stores are helping to fund our community, which in turn gives Beckie and the other people we support a chance to take positive steps in their lives.”

To make a donation to Emmaus Preston, please visit: https://emmaus.org.uk/preston/support-us/donate/.

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