The Revd Simon Ramacci BEM plans to walk the distance from Ipswich to Jerusalem, minus the boat crossing, to raise funds for the St John of Jerusalem Eye Hospital Group, which provides expert eye care for people living in the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem. A “virtual pilgrimage” – walking 3,000 miles to raise money for an eye hospital charity in Jerusalem.
Simon, from the Benefice of Westerfield and Tuddenham St Martin with Witnesham, said he was inspired by his work with another Order of St John charity and a close personal link to his family.
“I have been involved with another charity run by the Order for about 12 years and that has had a really big impact on my ministry and personal life. One of the key phrases of the Order of St John is about serving ‘our masters the sick and poor’, which really resonates with my faith journey. There is also a deeply personal reason for supporting the Eye Hospital. My wife and toddler were both born with a visual impairment so this charity has an extra special place in our hearts. We have had to make trips for tests and treatments to different hospitals ourselves, so can’t imagine what people in the West Bank have to go through to get eye care. We take it for granted here in the UK but over there it’s a different story. It makes the work of the Eye Hospital all the more important.”
The hospital charity provides outpatient, specialist and 24-hour emergency eye care regardless of race, religion or ability to pay. It was formed in 1882 under Queen Victoria and has been serving the people as part of the Venerable Order of St John ever since.
Simon said he was keen to get the community involved in his walking challenge.
He said: “I am hoping to get some interest from people in the local benefice, as well as reaching out to churches of St John the Baptist – it would be nice to have some company as I walk. I have a little widget on my laptop where I can track my walking and people can see on the map how far I have walked. I’m planning on posting frequent updates, so people can see how my pilgrimage progresses.”
To find out more about the Revd Simon’s ‘virtual pilgrimage’ and to donate to the campaign, see www.justgiving.com/page/simon-pilgrimage