Camino for Charity/Fund Raising

[Oak Hill Walkers]

Like others who use other big events like the Lands End to John 'O Groats bike ride for raising money for charity, I was wondering if it's the right thing to do for a pilgrimage walk such as the Camino.

We have a notion of setting up a blog in the USA to raise money for fighting polio via Rotary International.

But I'm not so sure that this would comport with the essence of walking the Camino for spiritual reasons, no matter how noble the charity is.

Any thoughts on this?

[ctlou]

HI Oak Hill Walkers:
I work for a Diocese in the United States. When one of my colleagues found out I would be walking the Camino he said, "Why don't you do it as fund raiser." Meaning to raise money probably for Catholic Charities.
I said I would think about it but, something really didn't sit right with me.

As I did think about it I thought that using it as a fund raiser would not be true to why I originally decided to take this on and I felt as though I don't want anything to take away from my original purposes.

A long answer to say, I agree wtih you. I don't see fund raising as applicable to this challenge.

Will start from SJPP on April 18th. Hope to see you.

BTW ... lots of excitement in Texas with your new Bishop down there.

Louise
CTLOU

[Oak Hill Walkers]

ctlou,

Thanks for your answer. The tentative plan was to generate contributions here in the USA via a blog prior and during our walk (like raising funds for the MS 150). We would be updating the blog with journal entries and photos while on the walk.

We would not be soliciting contributions in-country while on the walk, other than to visit some Rotary Clubs in the larger cities and tell them what we were doing. Of course, some Spanish Rotarians might find our project not appropriate or even objectionable.

I'll have to apply the Rotarian 4-Way Test of all the things we think, say, or do: (1) Is it the truth? (2) Is it fair to all concerned? (3) Will it build goodwill and better friendships? (4) Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

[Oak Hill Walkers]

Curious. I'm finding that, of course, it's not a new thing to utilize the Camino for raising money. The link below is for refurbishing a church in Germany (more appropriate than eradicating polio, perhaps). Catchy title -- Rent a Pilgrim.

Rent-A-Pilgrim - Medieval Charity Walk Collect Donations For St James - Rothenburg

[Beatrix]

I think it all depends who and how you inform about the aim of your pilgrimage.
I read the Pilgrim Snail (Ben Nimmo) book which is about trombonist who walked the way for charity. He was carrying a trombone and stopped playing music in cities and put out a note that he is walking to Santiago for charity. He was walking from Canterbury from UK and collected donations on the way.
This was a book, and still not sure if its a true story. But I can imagine this to happen in real.

[Covey]

Quite a number of people seem to use walking the Camino as a way of raising funds for some worthy charity or another.

If you were to ask people in the States or where ever you live to sponsor your trek I would have thought it an excellent idea, but I would draw the line at collecting funds whilst on the trail from pilgrims and the local population.

From a legal point of view, the question of non residents collecting money in Spain might be a problem. There are a lot of "beggars" in various pilgrim disguises in the major cities along the way, and they cause a lot of irritation. There are some who unashamedly expect the better off pilgrims to subsidise their trip along the way and seem to regard it as clever to get others to pay for their meals and bed.

If you were to solicit donations based on your completing the 800kms from St Jean to Santiago and offer to give a talk to those who sponsored you, I would have thought that would be well received.

[Covey]

A German lady told me along the trail last year that there was a facility in Germany where you could pay the expenses for someone to walk the Camino and obtain the Compostella for you!

The Pope in ancient times apparently allowed Kings and Princes who were too busy to ride to Santiago and pray, to send one of their servants to collect the Compostella on their behalf.

Maybe that facility still exists!!

[Beatrix]

Dear Pilgrims, and Future Pilgrims,

I know this forum is not for this topic which I am to raise, but as I got green lights from Leslie, - thanks again - I am posting it.

I am running the London Marathon this year on April 25th and fundraising money to the Whizz-Kidz Charity. They are dedidacted charity to help disabled kidz in the UK, by getting them customised mobility equipments and giving them additional support.
Whizz-Kidz: providing help to disabled children

I am a forreigner in England and just recently moved here, so I do not know many people here, still since I heard about the London Marathon I felt an urge to be part of it. Its because I would like to make myself useful while I am here and help where I can and the marathon sounds the perfect thing to do.

In case you would be happy to help and sponsor me for the big run, please visit my JustGiving page where online donations can be sent to the Whizz-Kidz, or contact me directly.
Beatrix Weigel is fundraising for Whizz-Kidz - JustGiving

I ask it on this forum too as I remember that when I was in the forest or on the mezeta, or when I was looking for albergue, or when no one is around, if I needed help, it allways came either from a fellow pilgrim or from a local Spanish. So based on my Caminos the biggest impression I had, is that most people are generous and ready to help each other if they can. Of course if you would not like to make any donation, I gladly take some encouraging words also.

Thanks in advance for your support.

Regards,
Beatrix