Dad-of-three from Lisburn tackles a virtual Camino de Santiago

Paul Lindsay, an orthodontist from Lisburn, has always loved walking and exploring new places.
Paul LindsayPaul Lindsay
Paul Lindsay

He had set his sights on one day walking the Camino de Santiago, a pilgrimage of over 480 miles, which ends in North-West Spain. But with the pandemic meaning a restriction on international travel, the father-of-three set his sights on a ‘virtual Camino’ through Conqueror Virtual Challenges.

Paul said the challenge has been very well run. “I have been logging each day the number of steps to the Conqueror Challenge app on my phone,” he explained.

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“As the miles have added up, the app lets me know where I would be along the Camino. It has been great motivation and I have learnt lots about the key places along the route.”

The challenge was no small undertaking. At 481 miles long it would have been easy to be discouraged at how significant a task it was. But Paul was heartened by the support he was given. “I never expected to have raised so much and have had to increase my fundraising target a few times along the way,” he revealed.

To date, Paul has raised £775 for Tearfund, as well as an additional amount for the NI depression charity, AWARE.

On his decision to support Tearfund, Paul was clear. “I have been a long-term supporter of Tearfund,” he continued. “I love how Tearfund is able to share God’s love in very practical ways working with local partners around the world. Coronavirus has affected us all but vulnerable communities in many parts of the world don’t have access to basic healthcare that we take for granted.

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“I received a leaflet through the post from Tearfund about their Coronavirus emergency appeal.

“I thought I could use my virtual Camino challenge to raise some money for this.

“The appeal will help Tearfund partners set up handwashing stations and deliver hygiene supplies such as soap and hand sanitiser.”

Tearfund’s NI Director, Glen Mitchell, said: “We are very concerned about some of the poorest countries, where life is already difficult and there is little infrastructure to deal with coronavirus. We are so grateful to Paul and others like him around Northern Ireland who are fundraising or donating to our coronavirus appeal. The generosity of the Northern Ireland public is enabling us to carry out life-giving work amongst the world’s poorest communities.

To make a donation in support of Paul’s challenge, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/paul-lindsay30

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