Why South Yorkshire Luke is planning a 270 mile trek through the Pennine Way for African poverty project

A South Yorkshire man will take on a 270 mile solo trek of the Pennine Way this month to raise money to tackle poverty in Tanzania.
Luke Thomas will set off on the 270 mile walking challengeLuke Thomas will set off on the 270 mile walking challenge
Luke Thomas will set off on the 270 mile walking challenge

Luke Thomas, from Dinnington, hopes the walking challenge will help raise funds for a project tackling poverty in the East African country, where he will personally be volunteering for three months. The 24-year-old will travel to Tanzania in September with international development organisation Raleigh International, as part of the UK government funded International Citizen Service programme. He will work in partnership with young volunteers from Tanzania and the UK to help lift some of the world’s poorest people out of poverty.

He will also live with a local host family to fully immerse himself into the community and gain a better understanding of the challenges people there face.

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Before Luke leaves for Tanzania, he needs to raise £800 for Raleigh International. Luke said: "This July I'm going to be doing a solo trek of the Pennine Way - a 270 mile walk through the Pennines and Peak district. I'm hoping to finish the walk in two weeks. This will be the second time I'll have done the walk, the first time being 10 years ago in 2009 when I completed the walk in just over two weeks with my dad and brother. I also did parts of the walk in 2005 when I was 10 with my grandma and aunt.

“This walk means a lot to me and my family, and has helped instil a lifelong love of hiking in me, so I'm excited to be doing it again for such a worthwhile cause."

The money Luke raises will ensure that communities in developing countries continue to benefit from the work of future volunteers. ICS allows young people aged 18-35 to make a valuable contribution to sustainable development projects in Africa and Asia.

Luke added: "I’m really looking forward to travelling to Tanzania this September as a team leader, and getting involved in my project and begin leading my team of volunteers. I’m working on a ‘Water, Sanitation and Hygiene’ project so I’m hoping to make a big difference in the small, local community that I'm going to be staying in.“I’ve already raised £400 and am hoping to reach my target by completing this walk.”

Visit justgiving.com/fundraising/luke-william-thomas to donate.