The Rt Revd Chris Goldsmith will make a stand against poverty as he steps out with a band of walkers on the Saints’ Way Walk this Saturday (April 18). Bishop Chris Goldsmith

Alongside the usual rucksack contents of spare clothing and water Bishop Chris will also carry a bundle of firewood in solidarity with those across the world shouldering the burden – and often the back-breaking work – of extreme poverty.
The walk will take place over two days with Bishop Chris covering the first day from Padstow to Lanivet and on the second day walkers will continue to tread in the footsteps of the Celtic Saints along the path to Fowey.
The walkers will be sponsored and Bishop Chris and others will also pray and share reflections on global poverty, discrimination and climate change as they walk.
The walk, which is open to everyone, comes ahead of next month’s Christian Aid Week (May 10-16) which will focus on the role gender discrimination plays in trapping people and communities in poverty and in particular will focus on one woman in rural Ethiopia forced to carry firewood eight hours a day to raise money for just one meal for her family of six children.
Over 250 people across Cornwall will take part in house to house collections during the week which raised over £50,000 in the county last year.
Bishop Chris said: “I am delighted to be taking part in the walk and to join the fight against poverty.
“We have so many choices and comforts in our lives but the hard truth is that women such as 29-year-old Loko Farso are on the very edge of survival, living without dignity and a voice.
“Organisations such as Christian Aid are transforming people’s lives every day and I would urge the people of Cornwall to join us on all or part of this this walk or sponsor a walker and ‘share the load’ figuratively if not literally – I can promise wonderful company, breathtaking scenery, a deep sense of satisfaction and unlike in Loko’s case, no hyenas!”
Timings for the 27-mile route will be as follows:
• Saturday 18 April 2015: Padstow to Lanivet. Gather at Padstow Church for contemplation at 8am, leave 8.30am, call at Little Petherick Church Hall (9.45am) and Withiel Church (1.30-2.15pm – lunch stop) before arriving at Lanivet at around 4pm.
• Sunday 19 April 2015: Lanivet to Fowey. Leave Lanivet Church at 8.30am, call at Lanlivery Church 11am, picnic at Golant Church 2-2.30pm, before reaching St Fimbarrus Church, Fowey at approximately 4.15pm.
For more details visit http://www.christianaid.org.uk/getinvolved/inyourarea/england/southwest/events/saintswaywalk2015.aspx
You can help to change the lives of men and women in places like Ethiopia this Christian Aid Week by donating online at www.caweek.org calling 08080 006 006, or texting ‘WEEK’ to 70040 to give £5.