The Connection Pilgrimage 2012
The Diamond Jubilee weekend not only marked 60 years of the Queen’s reign but also saw more than 130 people take part in The Connection at St-Martin-in-the-Fields annual pilgrimage from Central London to Canterbury Cathedral. It was with great pleasure that Furniture Hire UK were able to show their support and participation by assisting the walkers for the third year running. Our driver, Colin T was a valuable asset to the pilgrimage and provided assistance to the walkers by transporting all the luggage and much needed equipment from one stop to the next. The group of people who took part in the pilgrimage were a very diverse set of individuals and ranged in age from as young as 7 to the oldest being 71. For some, the spiritual aspect of the Pilgrimage is very important, but for others it is a sponsored walk, plain and simple. The 2012 Pilgrimage saw individuals travel from Dublin, Edinburgh and Orkney specifically to take part in the annual event. 11 members of the Chinese congregation also showed their support by participating alongside many of the members of St Martin-in-the-Fields Church. The Connection at St Martin-in-the-Fields is one of the largest and busiest homelessness organisations in the UK strategically located in Trafalgar Square, close to the highest number of street homeless people. St Martin’s provides services which include street outreach, a day and night centre, resettlement support as well as specialist advice and counselling services. The Connection is open for 21 hours a day, 364 days a year and aims to help people rebuild their lives and become independent. As well as raising valuable funds for The Connection the event brings many individuals into a community where they are accepted for who they are. The Pilgrimage is also a journey to the grave of Dick Sheppard who was the vicar at St Martin’s during the 1st world war. He opened up the Church to let men travelling to and from the front to sleep there. From this, the tradition of caring for homeless was born.