At 9pm on Saturday 14th October a group of around 30 people set off from London Victoria to walk 60km throughout the night to Chatham high street, the site of One Big Family’s weekly soup kitchen. For some members of the group this was their first walk, blindly taking on this challenge with naive optimism, while for others this was a repeat performance, where any sense or desire not to inflict the pain or blisters of previous years had been squashed by the remembered pride in completing the walk. What united us all though was the goal to raise essential funds for One Big Family’s important work with homeless and vulnerably housed people in Medway. 

We began our journey with a scenic stroll past London’s landmarks as the group buzzed with chatter about their motivations, expected challenges, and the need for toilets. Already? Yes, Darren, already. Luckily the staff at the closing Deptford McDonald’s were more receptive to our wee pleas and very kindly opened up their toilets. Bladders relieved, and encouraged ‘gently’ by Darren’s motivation techniques, the group surged on towards Greenwich. At the Cutty Sark we were met by our wonderful support crew - two vans full of enough tea and food supplies to sustain us for two walks, driven by the fantastic volunteers that are the core of One Big Family. 

The group found its rhythm in the passing hours as we plodded on through Lewisham, Lee, and finally Shooters Hill before arriving at our next stop in Welling. But our bodies were starting to question what we were asking of them at 3 o’clock in the morning as the leg aches set in, the feet were pulsing, and the blisters were arriving. Nevertheless, we continued to pound the pavements in the dark of early morning, eating up the miles from Welling to Bexleyheath, through Crayford (where our bathroom needs were once again relieved by more lovely McDonalds staff who allowed us into the loos before opening), and on through Dartford. For some this time was used for a speaker party of Whitney Houston, Tina Turner, and Abba, while for others headphones were stuck in to let playlists and podcasts wile away the steps. Finally, our well-earned rest stop at Greenhithe was heralded in by the golden glow of yet another McDonald’s logo. Somewhat rejuvenated by more tea, toilets, and encouragement from our support crew, we ascended up the hill towards Ebbsfleet and the rising sun, bringing much needed warmth to all of our exhausted bodies. 

Our next stop, Gravesend high street, marked for those seasoned OBF walkers among us the beginning of the hardest section, which as a first-time walker was great to hear after already completing over 40kms. But the end was coming into sight, so we hauled our bruised feet and aching muscles along towards our next and final stop in Higham, pausing just for a minute along the way to re-group. Hey Darren, how long do we have left? Oh, about 11kms to Chatham. But that can’t be right, the tracker says we’ve already done 53kms, and 53 + 11 doesn’t equal 60 Darren... After considering our options, it was decided that simply stopping in protest at 60km would spoil the effect of the welcome party that was gathering in Chatham high street, so we continued with the final stetch of our 65km walk through Higham, onto Strood, and over the bridge into Rochester to be greeted by refreshments and sweets kindly offered up by the Raj of India.

Buoyed by the support of wonderful OBF volunteers, friends, and family who came out to guide us in we dragged ourselves along to Chatham and the Bloco Fogo band whose powerful drumming accompanied the final steps and completion of our walk. Hugs were shared, tears were shed, and Mr Maker handed out medals and congratulations. Just a few hours later, at our weekly Sunday night soup kitchen, hot meals, refreshments, and groceries were given out to over 100 people, showing the critical need for the work done by One Big Family and the fundraising that enables it.  

Now, as much as this story may have seemed somewhat critical of our leader, and others in our group may not be so quick to forget his under-measurement of the distance, this walk and the fundraising efforts surrounding it would not have been possible without Darren, who never let anyone believe they couldn’t make it. It would also have been impossible without the organisation and support of all the amazing people at OBF who supported the walk and its walkers. So, thank you to every person who made this happen, and to all the people who have sponsored this bizarre adventure. If you’d like to support this huge accomplishment, then there’s still time to donate! A very generous benefactor has offered to match the total amount fundraised from the walk so any contribution would be greatly appreciated! And if you’ve made it to the end of this story and you’re thinking it doesn’t sound too bad, or you think it sounds awful but worth it for the pride of fundraising for an amazing charity, then why not join us next year?