Why they’re walking: Inspiring stories from the Big Lent Walk
As communities across the country lace up their shoes for The Big Lent Walk, we’re feeling inspired by two incredible supporters who are taking on this challenge with love, compassion and a deep sense of purpose.
Anangan: “Now it’s my turn to walk this walk of hope and support”
For Anangan, this year’s Big Lent Walk is deeply personal. After a successful Walk for Water fundraiser in 2021, he’s stepping up once again—this time with a message of hope and solidarity.
“After a successful ‘Walk for Water’ fundraiser in 2021, I am back. It has been four years; since then, life has changed a lot, but my motivation hasn’t.”
In 2023, Anangan, along with his wife and son, faced homelessness with no safety net. It was the support of others that helped them reach a stable position and find a roof over their heads.
“Only due to support, we were able to overcome our situation and reach a stable position with a roof over our heads. Now it’s my turn to walk this walk of hope and inspiration so that, with our support, families like Lokho’s can get their safety net.”
Anangan’s fundraising message is a powerful reminder of how even the smallest act of kindness can change a life:
“If you can only give a little, give—it’s big to those who receive it. As humans and children of God, we have a collective responsibility to look after one another. A small £2 can change someone’s life.”
Through the Big Lent Walk, Anangan is helping to fight poverty globally in countries like Afghanistan, Colombia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Sudan—proving that every step taken is part of a bigger journey towards justice.
Tahlia’s year of kindness: Walking 200km at just 8 years old!
Eight-year-old Tahlia is also making a huge impact—one step (and one paw!) at a time. With her trusty little dog Cookie by her side, Tahlia is walking 200km this Lent and raising money for CAFOD, which her class at school is also supporting.
But this challenge is part of a much bigger mission.
Inspired by her birthday in January, Tahlia set herself a heartwarming goal: to support a different charity each month in 2025. Her mum explains:
“Knowing that she didn’t need anything else for her birthday, we suggested she choose a charity instead of gifts. She picked Bury Hospice and raised over £500 by asking party guests to donate. Then she said:
‘Mum, can we make our weekend activities this year things that raise money for different charities?’”
In February, Tahlia used her pocket money to sponsor an animal at Bleakholt Animal Sanctuary. Now in March, she’s taking on this big walking challenge in support of communities around the world. And there’s more to come—next up, a mile-long swim to raise funds for a stroke-related charity in honour of her grandad.
Her kindness, commitment and sense of purpose are simply inspiring.
“We’re trying to choose charities that not many people think of—local ones, or ones that mean something to her,” her mum says. “She’s learning that she really can make a difference.”
Every step matters
Whether it’s a heartfelt walk of hope like Anangan’s or an energetic adventure like Tahlia’s, every step taken during the Big Lent Walk is part of something bigger: a global movement to fight poverty and build a better world.
Feeling inspired? You can still join the Big Lent Walk today and walk in solidarity with communities around the world.