Salvation Army Couple Trek 268 Miles for Youth Project

Chris and Laura Neilson, Salvation Army church leaders in Manchester will be using this summer to raise money for a church youth project. The method is to walk the 268 miles of the Pennine way.

Their journey will begin in Kirk Yetholm, Scotland, on 15th July and will conclude on 28th July in Edale, the peak district, just a few miles from their home.

The Neilson couple aged 30 (Chris) and 25 (Laura) will be raising funds for the Fitton Hill Eden project, where they work. The project is supported by their church and provides support and activities for the youth of Fitton Hill and the Hathershaw area.

Both Chris and Laura have had to accommodate some physical and mental training into their busy schedules. Both Chris and Laura are responsible for running the church. Laura is also studying part time to be a doctor at Manchester University.

Chris said: “We have not done any proper hiking since we were in school, the most I have done is the odd pub football game, but we have brushed up our map reading skills, lost some weight and done a lots of running. Laura has been running twice a day and I’m sure our son Barny is getting a little worried about his parents!”, according to Alove.

For three years the Eden project, run by a group of dedicated volunteers has been serving Fitton Hill. The project is a partnership which was originally set up and supported by the Salvation army.

The Eden project has recently begun to provide training for students at a local school, has set up mentoring programmes and provided a varying range of clubs, activities and trips for young people in the area.

The money raised by the sponsored walk will be used to employ a local youth worker to extend the community work that the project is able to provide. The youth of Fitton Hill can have low aspirations. The Eden project is there to give them hope and confidence and allow them to become strong and positive people in the community.

Chris Neilson said of the community: “Laura and I are committed to this community and three years ago decided that if we meant it we should move in. I have a very personal stake in seeing this community grow and develop, as we raise our family here."

The youth of Fitton Hill and the Salvation Army church there are all supporting the Neilsons on their journey, with some hoping to walk with them on part of their trek.