A Modern Day Pilgrimage

Young Explorers' Trust

Whatley teenager William White has set off from Canterbury on a 3,107 mile pilgrimage to Jerusalem raising money for charity.

While waiting for his A-level results, the 18-year-old will be cycling across 14 countries and two continents as he journeys from Europe into Asia and the Middle East on a modern pilgrimage. The youngster took A-levels in History, English and Geography and hopes to study Geography at Bristol University.

William is no stranger to challenges. Last year, at the age of 17, he walked into the record books by trekking across Iceland when he also raised £3,000 for the Mary’s Meals charity. With his friend, James Hobbs, they walked 372 miles in 24 days.

Two years ago, when he was 16, he and William Stevenson walked the Santiago de Compostella pilgrim route in Spain raising £1,200 for the same charity. It was during this adventure he found a love for exploration.

William has also walked around the Isle of Wight, taken part in the Three Peaks Challenge as well as Duke of Edinburgh and Ten Tors challenges.

He will be joined by fellow Downside student Tobin Rusby along the route and they aim to live the life of a pilgrim. By cycling to Jerusalem he wants to expand his experiences by living the most simple life possible, sleeping rough and eating as cheaply as he can. William said, “We aim to live the life of a pilgrim, by living the most simplistic lifestyle raising money for our chosen charity.

“The trip will be exploratory; we hope to prove the notion of a modern pilgrimage by a modern generation, being only 18 years of age. After such a trip we are hoping to inspire other young people to complete their own challenges.”

Mary’s Meals is a charity with a simple idea, they give children a meal at school, thus prevent starvation while achieving educating the children as well. William said, “I have supported this charity on numerous occasions.”

His journey can be sponsored through his Virgin Money Giving page and his adventures can be followed on his blog.

 

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