Story By: Lee Bullen,Sub Editor: Joseph Golder,Agency: Central European News
A Polish man has closed his business to go on a five-month fundraising trek across Europe with his pet dog Pindol to raise money for an oncology hospice.
According to local media, Darek Strojewski walked over 3,000 kilometres (1,864 miles) to the Spanish city of Santiago de Compostela after setting off on his journey in June this year from Poland.
Strojewski wrote on his fundraiser page: “On 10th June, one minute after midnight, I bet my life on a single card.
“I packed my bags, closed my current business and set off on a 3,000-kilometre journey along the Saint James trail (Camino de Santiago also known as the Way of Saint James) leading to the Spanish city of Santiago de Compostela.”
The network of pilgrimages leads to the shrine of Saint James the Great in the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia in north-western Spain.
Describing the famous route, Strojewski said: “I was hoping for something more.
“The route is very commercialised and most people treat it as a form of entertainment, without delving into the meaning and value of the route.”
After reaching Galicia, the fundraiser decided to carry on to the Portuguese capital Lisbon.
He explained: “By doing something for myself I’d love to do the same for others.
“I would love my challenge to help those who, even if they want to, for some reason can’t take up such an endeavour.
“I would like to ask you to support me with my challenge as well as donate to the St. Christopher Hospice in Warsaw. All funds go directly there.”
Walking between 20 and 30 kilometres (12 and 19 miles) a day, the five-month journey went from Poland to Germany, France, Spain and Portugal.
Strojewski hopes to raise 100,000 PLN (19,830 GBP) for the cancer hospice.
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