A street pastor who set out to raise £7,000 for Catching Lives to mark her 70th birthday has completed her '7 for 70' challenge.
Denise Smith, from Broomfield, Herne Bay, raised more than £10,000, including gift aid, with a series of seven fundraisers.
Denise said: "People have been telling me I should be proud of what I've done, but that's not really me. What I do feel is a great sense of satisfaction of a challenge completed, a target reached, and the hope that I may have made a little bit of difference.
"It was a tough year, in many ways. I don't think I realised, when I set out, just how much the fundraising would take over my life. However, the reward has been enormous. I've been overwhelmed by the kindness, support and generosity of those around me, and, sometimes complete strangers.
"It's allowed me to get to know friends better, and possibly understand myself a little more too."
Denise kicked things off in April 2024 with a sponsored wall climb. In July, she walked the Pilgrims Way - 85 miles from Southwark Cathedral to Canterbury Cathedral, over 10 days. Her son Andrew Smith and his friend Ed Mulcahy also climbed Mount Snowdon in Wales to support the fundraising efforts.
Other fundraisers included a garden party, a charity evening, raffles and a calendar with photographs from Canterbury, Herne Bay and Whitstable photographic clubs.
Denise added: "The walk from Southwark Cathedral to Canterbury Cathedral was the biggest logistical event I've ever undertaken. It took months of planning. I'd done plenty of preparation to strengthen my legs and stamina for walking, but the psychological pressure was something I hadn't anticipated. Despite all that, it was easily my favourite activity of my '7 for 70'.
"I'll never forget the elation of those final steps in Canterbury down the road to the cathedral gate. It was my birthday and seeing the group of people waiting to greet me was quite overwhelming."
Denise recently came into the Catching Lives's Day Centre to present us with a cheque. Her fundraising efforts have helped the Catching Lives Winter Appeal get to more than 80% of our £50,000 fundraising target. Denise was inspired to start fundraising when the Catching Lives Winter Shelter could not run in Winter 2023 to 2024 due to lack of funds.
She added: "Am I pleased '7 to 70' is finished? Of course I am. It was a long, hard year and now I can move my focus back to the things that got side-lined. Was I pleased I did it? Without a doubt. I don't think I could do it all again, but someone's already asked me when my next fundraising walk for Catching Lives will be. Am I thinking about it? Maybe."
We were able to run the Canterbury Community Shelter this Winter and it will remain open until mid-March. We are still fundraising to ensure we can deliver our seven-day-a-week services day and night throughout Winter. Funds raised will support our Night Shelter and Day Centre services through Winter and beyond.
Tasmin Maitland, Chief Executive of Catching Lives, said: "Thank you to Denise for her incredible fundraising efforts for Catching Lives. We were impressed with the creativity of the '7 for 70' fundraiser and enjoyed receiving updates from Denise throughout the year. This generous donation also really helps our Winter Appeal get back on target. If you would like to fundraise for Catching Lives, please get in touch with the team and we'll be happy to support you."
For more information, please visit our fundraising page.
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