Big Miles for Little Feet

71.5 miles. 1,015 pairs of school shoes

A very long walk. A very good cause. And, quite probably, a few very sore feet.

Candice Behrens, (CEO of Starfish USA), Nicola Atherstone (former CEO of Starfish USA), and 2 brave friends are heading to the beautiful Cotswolds to walk 71.5 miles (115.07 km)—one hill, one village, and one increasingly tired pair of legs at a time.

Why?

Because for many children in South Africa, a long walk isn’t an adventure. It’s simply how they need to get to school. 

An estimated 7 million children in South Africa have never owned a pair of school shoes, and our own Starfish data shows that 87% of children at the schools we support walk to school each day.

So, naturally, Candice, Nicola, and friends decided to do some walking of their own.

That’s why they’re lacing up (and packing a frankly unreasonable supply of blister plasters) to take on a 71.5-mile hike through the Cotswolds in England.

Over seven days, they’ll trek through eight picturesque Cotswolds villages, tackle more than a few hills, and walk every last one of those 71.5 miles—come rain, shine, or an unexpected British heatwave.

Over seven days, they’ll trek through eight picturesque villages, conquer more than a few hills, and keep putting one foot in front of the other—come rain, shine, or an unexpected British heatwave. The mission? To walk every last one of those 71.5 miles and raise money to put school shoes on the feet of children who need them.

There will undoubtedly be aching muscles, questionable fashion choices, a blister or two, and possibly some heated debate over whose idea this was in the first place. But the ladies are ready to prove that doing good doesn’t have to be terribly serious. Sometimes it looks like a group of friends, a beautiful countryside, a very long walk—and a very good reason to keep going.

$71 for Every Mile

Here’s where you come in.

The ladies have 71.5 miles to walk, and they’d like every one of those miles to put shoes on children’s feet.

The challenge is simple:

That means every $5 raised puts a pair of school shoes on a child’s feet.

Sponsor one mile. Sponsor half a mile. Sponsor the hill, they’re going to regret halfway up.

Whatever you choose,

100% of your donation will go toward putting shoes on feet.

Cheer the Ladies Along!

Seven days. Eight villages. 71.5 miles.

There will be tired feet.

There will be aching legs.

There will be hills that looked much smaller on the map.

There will almost certainly be tea and scones.

And there will be plenty of laughter, encouragement, and reminders that every single step is for a child who walks to school without shoes.

So while the ladies tackle the Cotswolds, you can do your bit from somewhere considerably more comfortable.

Will You Sponsor One of Their Miles?

They’ll do the walking. You provide the shoes.

Sponsor a mile for $71, split a mile with a friend, take on several miles, or simply give an amount that feels right to you.

Every $5 provides a pair of school shoes, and $71 provides 14 pairs of shoes.

So pick a mile, back the ladies, and help us get 1,105 pairs of shoes onto children’s feet.

71.5 miles. 1,015 pairs of shoes, let's make a difference.

And remember 100% of your donation will go to getting shoes.

Their feet may never forgive them. The children’s feet will certainly thank you.