A Mile In Their Shoes
When Lynn + Lucy actress Jennifer Lee Moon connected with Oasis Community Housing it was a match made in heaven. Jenn is an actress, model, dancer and business owner who aims to use social media for social good and put her Christian faith into action by supporting others.
“Talk about divine coincidences, myself and the team were talking about how much we would love to partner with a Christian organisation that is already helping house those who are struggling,” said Jenn.
The Mile In Their Shoes challenge, which Oasis Community Housing launched over Lent, seemed the perfect way for Jenn and her team to get involved; with a tweak to the original Lent challenge, Jenn went above and beyond to recruit as many people to the challenge as possible.
Jenn and her team have committed to walking at least a mile every day in solidarity with those walking daily on the streets to find safety, food and support.
Keep up with Jenn, The Women Who Win and The Q Tip on Instagram throughout July.
Pounding the pavements
Crystal Hicks, mother of twin girls and proud dog owner, is taking on a challenge of epic proportions. At the start of the year she set herself the task of running the distance of Lands’ End to John O’Groats. An astounding 874 miles over the course of the year.
“I’m really loving running for a purpose. It’s certainly keeping me motivated knowing that I have to get out and stick to the routine as once you fall behind it’s impossible to catch back up. It’s so easy to commit to running 874 miles in a year.
“All you need to do is say in January ‘I’m going to run 874 miles this year’ ta dah!
“But flip it’s hard to do it. I’m at the half way mark now. My knees have stopped complaining but the bunion is aching. The dog is loving it though.
“I’m finding it such a reflective time to lift up day to God and put the concerns of my heart to him. I often pray for the people Oasis serves whilst running, especially on the mornings when I’m out in the cold and rain, or the baking sun, knowing that shelter, water and comfort are things I do often take for granted and that those I’m running for don’t have those things without Oasis.
“So I’ll keep persevering with the miles knowing you guys will keep persevering to bring hope for those who have lost all hope.
Crystal hasn’t been doing it alone but has had her faithful hound Steve Baily Hicks for company. Steven is loving the extra exercise but can be prone to meandering so if you hear a call of ‘Oi Steve get here!’ as you’re passing through Low Fell, Gateshead, make sure to give Crystal a wave.
Climbing mountains
58 year old Sheffield local, Andy Cribb, is cycling over 5,000 kilometers of some of the world’s steepest hills this July, just four years after being told he would never cycle again.
“I had a serious accident four years ago, after being knocked off my bike at high speed. I was told I would never be able to cycle again, but thanks to medical support I have built my fitness back up. I love a challenge and this one is the toughest I’ve done. It’s not just the distance it’s the cumulative effect of the draining hill climbs each day.
“I also wanted to do something positive after the murder of Sarah Everard. Oasis Community Housing has a long track record of supporting the most vulnerable women in our communities. Raising funds for them seems to be a fitting tribute to Sarah and her family.”
Andy, who has been out training come rain or shine, continued: “I hope the sponsorship I’m raising will make a small improvement to the lives of those for whom Oasis Community Housing care for.”
Andy is determined to complete the 100 Climbs challenge in just 30 days. That’s 5,300km across the British Isles covering its steepest gradients including the Guinness World Records’ world’s steepest hill climb – Ffordd Penllech in Wales pitched at a 40% gradient.
Find out more about running, walking or cycling for Oasis Community Housing and supporting people facing homelessness this year by visiting out Events pages.