Walk Towards Hope

Mary and Joseph walked 90 miles to reach Bethlehem. Their story is one we tell each Christmas with hope, love and joy. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could extend that hope to everyone’s journey today?

As we head towards another challenging winter, many of us are in need of support, care and community. That's why CUF is supporting churches to play an active role in creating strong and loving communities.

By joining with us in the Walk Towards Hope, you can help make sure this vital work continues.

We’re asking you to follow in the footsteps of the Holy Family's walk to Bethlehem by joining with others to collectively walk 90 miles before Christmas Eve. The support you receive from your family and friends will go a long way to helping local churches welcome and care for people in need.

Hope brings us together. Can you join the Walk Towards Hope this winter?

Why the Walk Towards Hope?

The cost-of-living crisis has presented challenges for us all over the last couple of years. Despite this, churches all over England have refused to back down, and have continued to provide hope for those that need it most. They have been a welcoming and consistent presence for refugees arriving in England, and others who have lost their sense of hope and community.

Churches across the country are the gateway to support for many. For example, CUF's Places of Welcome network provides physical needs like hot meals and a warm space, but also friendship and a sense of community. We want to provide as many people as possible with the resources and the hope they need to thrive.

“A really important thing for me now is that I feel that someone needs me and I can give something to people with English teaching at the Ukrainian Hub. When I’m far from my country and there are many people there who are just fighting to stay alive and for Ukraine to exist, it’s so important for me to do at least something. I feel my work here is just a little bit more of a contribution to progress towards that shared purpose and aim we have as Ukrainian people right now to survive.”

When can I take part?

Once you’ve signed up to the challenge you can start straight away. We suggest setting up a Just Giving Page and joining our newsletter for support.

You should try to complete your 90 miles by Christmas Eve, but if you’re finding it difficult at any stage, you can reach out to us for guidance and encouragement.

Can I walk with a group?

The more, the merrier. You can choose to complete the challenge on your own, as part of a group in which you total 90 miles collectively, or each walk 90 miles together – the choice is yours. If you arrange a group to fundraise with, you can each use the same Just Giving page to share with your friends and family.

What will the money I raise be used for?

Every week, over 14,000 people benefit from CUF-supported activities like Places of Welcome.

By fundraising with CUF, you will be supporting local churches and the people they serve.

Whether that's providing funding and training to help churches welcome refugees, funding vital research and tools that lead to new ways of tackling poverty and isolation, or helping us to grow the Places of Welcome network and offer safe spaces across the country - your support is transforming local communities across England.

To read more about our work and impact, see our latest Impact Report.

Need help with your fundraising? Please email hello@cuf.org.uk or call 0203 752 5655. We would love to hear from you at any time.