Every Step Tells a Story: Why I'm Trekking the Camino for Anam Cara

On 27th September I take on the Camino Trek in aid of Anam Cara. Here I share a few short words on my why behind it. 

We first began working with Anam Cara in 2024. Up to that point I’ll be honest in that I had not heard of Anam Cara before and wasn’t aware of their work. 

However, within a few minutes of learning about this small but mighty team, the amazing facilitators and parent volunteers, and the supports and services they offer bereaved families across Ireland, we were absolutely blown away.

Grief is sadly an inevitable part of life.

It comes in many different forms and is experienced uniquely by each person.

But grief from losing a child feels entirely different.

Those who have experienced this form of grief have used many words like devastating, tragic and overwhelming, to describe it. As a Mam to a wonderful 9-year-old boy I could not imagine what those experiencing this grief are going through, or indeed how they keep going.

The Camino has been something on my list for a very long time, and despite life being busy (like most people!), I was determined to get my childcare ducks in a row, and to carve out the time and space for training, and to take part in this trek for Anam Cara. So, with thanks to a wonderful support network around me (thanks Trish, Ali, Mam, Dad, the BPLA, the School Mammies…to name a few) this September I will join a group of fellow fundraisers to trek the Camino de Santiago in Northern Spain. During the seven days we’ll cover 115km of the Camino trail.

Part of my reasoning for taking part is to raise funds for Anam Cara, but another is to raise awareness of the supports available including remembrance events, online resources, information sessions and peer-to-peer support groups. Even just helping people to know that support is there, when and if the time is right for each individual would be wonderful.

“…attending my first meeting was a turning point. What helped most wasn’t the advice, though that mattered too, but simply seeing other bereaved parents further down the road who were somehow surviving. It gave me hope that I would one day find my footing again.”  Anam Cara Parent

This September, I'll walk 115 kilometres of the Camino in support of Anam Cara.

My goal is simple: to have every one of those 115 kilometres sponsored before I take my first step.

A donation of €10 sponsors one kilometre, but every contribution, no matter the amount, will help Anam Cara to continue to provide support, connection and hope to bereaved parents and families across Ireland.

If my story, or the work of Anam Cara, resonates with you, I would be incredibly grateful if you would consider sponsoring a kilometre of the journey, or donating through my fundraising page. 

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this and thank you for supporting this amazing organisation.

Every kilometre sponsored helps ensure that no parent has to journey through grief alone.

Jenn