In 1984, musical supergroup Band Aid urged us to ‘feed the world’ in their Christmas hit single Do They Know It’s Christmas? Today, their message resonates more than ever, and thanks to the hard work of countless organisations and the advent of digital technologies, supporting communities in need across the globe is now easier than ever.
At Follow the Camino, we are also working towards this cause, knowing we can (also) “spread a smile of joy”. One of our primary charitable contributions is supporting the United Nations’ World Food Programme every month of the year, with this aid supporting 152 million people in urgent need and tackling the causes of hunger (more on that later). And this project is just one of the initiatives Follow the Camino is involved with: we also raise funds for 7 different charity partners in the UK and Ireland.
Read on to learn more about Follow the Camino’s charity work, at home and abroad.
Charity Walks which ‘Leave No Trace’
We run regular walks across Ireland to help people get fit and meet new walking buddies. These hikes replicate a similar distance and elevation to what would be covered in a short day on the Camino, so make for excellent fitness and endurance training. Walkers can also talk with our staff and learn about the iconic route along the way, getting a flavour for what the Camino will be like.
The other element to these walks is promoting the ‘Leave No Trace’ principles. These guidelines cover responsible outdoor practices with a minimum impact on the environment. Our tour guide, Ray, is fully trained and passionate about the 7 Leave No Trace principles:
- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Be Considerate of Others
- Respect Animals and Wildlife
- Travel and Camp Responsibly
- Leave What You Find
- Dispose of Waste Properly
- Protect Nature From Fire
Our goal is to raise awareness among potential clients about the best practices for outdoor activities and the importance of taking a proactive approach to sustainability, encouraging behaviours that protect the environment – at home and on holiday.
Aligned to this goal, we donate funds raised from these walks to charitable organisations in Ireland and the UK. In total, we raised €1,750+ from 7 walks. These charities included:
- Pieta House
- Focus Ireland
- Rise Foundations
- Confraternity of the Friends of St James
- Walk in My Shoes
- NCBI (Vision Ireland)
- Gary Kelly Cancer Support Centre
The next of our charity training walks take place in March 2025 and you are more than welcome to join us in supporting charity organisations trying to make a difference in society!
Trying to End Avoidable World Hunger
Every day, more than 700 million people go to bed hungry. This is a stark reminder of the persistent challenge of global hunger. But it is a challenge that society can overcome. The UN World Food Programme, established more than 60 years ago, has made significant strides in addressing this issue. In 2023 alone, the organisation provided life-saving food assistance to 100+ million people in emergency situations caused by climate crises or human conflict. The World Food Programme also uses food assistance as a pathway to peace, stability, and prosperity for people in 120 countries and territories across the globe.
Since 2014, Follow the Camino has donated €10 per month and per employee to the UN World Food Programme. That means we have raised tens of thousands of euros for the cause in our decade partnering with the World Food Programme – because hunger is a year-round problem, not just at Christmas time! We see this as a natural part of our commitment to giving back and having a positive impact on the future of our planet.
Investing in Carbon Offset Projects
Carbon offsetting is one of the main tools for addressing excessive greenhouse gas production in business operations, with companies buying ‘credits’ (equivalent 1:1 to their emissions) representing a diverse range of projects compensating for harmful carbon output
Our team works with First Climate to progress towards achieving net zero carbon emissions in our business. We have purchased 3,000 tonnes of carbon credits in the last few years, invested in 3 gold-standard offsetting projects our Sustainability Committee agreed were the most impactful. One is focused on renewable wind energy, one is connected to solar energy production, and one is about bringing safer cooking stoves to communities. By supporting these projects, our carbon credits can help to improve the lives of those in need.
Investing in these projects is also part of our commitment to reducing our impact on the environment. While walking trips by their nature are less carbon-intensive than other types of holidays, our clients still often fly to the Camino in Spain, Portugal, and beyond. We want to ensure these activities are nullified where possible and safe-guard the future of our planet.
To learn more about the other ways our team is making a positive contribution to the world, have a look at our sustainability initiatives.
