19 November 2014

Sam's Walk Home



On Friday 5th December 2014, Sam Barlow, the head of sales and marketing for online box office WeGotTickets will be walking home from work. This might not sound remotely newsworthy but factor in that Sam works in north Oxford and lives in south London however, and things start to get more interesting. With very little experience of endurance walking, Sam will be leaving his motorbike at home, putting the train ticket down, and instead, braving the bitter winter weather on an epic solo trek estimated to take around 26 hours.

Sam is attempting the 60 mile walk-come-micro-adventure to help 28 Too Many’s work to end female genital Mutilation charity; 28 Too Many, who are working to eradicate FGM. It is estimated that 30 million girls in Africa are at risk of FGM in the next 10 years, and according to a recent report by the UK Parliament Home Affairs Select Committee, as many as 66,000 girls aged 13 and under are at risk in the UK.

Upon finding out these shocking statistics, Sam felt compelled to take action, to both raise awareness and increase discussion around FGM, but also fundraising to support the incredibly important work of 28 Too Many. So, instead of celebrating his 31st Birthday with loved ones, he is asking friends, family and members of the public to support his walk home.

On his JustGiving fundraising page, Sam asks “If you are one of those mates who would have been out with me celebrating my birthday and were planning on getting me a gift, or buying me a drink: please, please put that money here. If you are not one of those people – the plea still very much stands – every pound raised will keep me going when it gets to 6am and there are still another 12 hours to go. ”

Dr Ann-Marie Wilson, Executive Director of 28 Too Many commented, “We are often asked how men and boys can contribute to the campaign to end FGM and hear from many men that they want to be part of the change but struggle to find a way to do this. We are impressed that Sam has learnt about FGM, researched how he can help and found a simple but effective way to make a difference. We will be cheering him on for every step of his walk.” 


Sam will start his walk at 6pm in Oxford City Centre where he will head south-east towards High Wycombe; eventually make his way to Greater London through Uxbridge and Southhall; Down through Shepherd's Bush, Kensington and Earls Court; past Brompton Cemetery and through Chelsea; over Battersea Bridge and eventually make his way to his Clapham North home.

 

Website: www.SamsWalkHome.com

Sponsorship Page: www.justgiving.com/SamsWalkHome

Twitter: @WalkingSam