Ventnorian Sophie Willis yesterday completed the first part of four planned days to walk 75 miles around the Isle of Wight in aid of the Better Days Cafe.
Friday saw Sophie (pictured left) and friends, Maria Sexton (centre) and Kara Newberry (on the right with her dog Teddy) walk the first 16 miles from Ventnor to Brighstone, with part two planned for Wednesday, when Sophie hopes to cover Grange Farm to Cowes.
Community-minded
This is not the first time that Sophie has walked around the Island for charity.
Last September she walked 65 miles for the Alzheimer’s Society and raised more than £1,000.
Willis: An asset and vital service
Sophie explains her reasons for wanting to raise funds for the Better Days Cafe,
“Better Days is a Cafe which promotes inclusion for everyone. Staffed by volunteers, supporting people with mental health issues and learning disabilities. They also provide walk in mental health advice, sign posting and mental health first aid and are arranging support groups/workshops for teenagers, including self harm and suicide prevention and awareness.
“We have all experienced isolation, especially since Covid, some are still experiencing and living with this everyday. The volunteers and comforting surroundings welcomes you and provides a safe and warm welcome back into the community. This Cafe is a not-for-profit community hub of which welcomes everybody and in my view an asset and vital service, not only for Ventnor but the Isle of Wight.”
Show your support
If you would like to support Sophie’s fundraising efforts you can donate via her Go Fund Me Page.
Follow Sophie’s walk by visiting her Facebook updates.
