16 Bridge Walk
25 supporters and friends of British Friends of Boys Town Jerusalem, including children as young as eight years old, raised over £9000 in July 2010 when they walked over London’s 16 bridges, a total of 12.4 miles.
The walk started at Hammersmith Bridge and concluded at Tower Bridge. All those participating had raised money, via sponsorship for the ‘privilege’ of taking part.
Money raised from the walk will help disadvantaged and poverty-stricken Jewish boys who study at Boys Town Jerusalem in Bayit Vegan, many of whom have made aliyah due to being the victims of anti-Semitism in the countries of their birth.
Boys Town Jerusalem is rightly considered one of Israel’s leading and most dynamic educational residential developments, and since its doors were first opened in 1949, as a memorial to 1.5 million Jewish children who perished in the holocaust, over 6300 Jewish boys, aged between 12-20 have graduated, most of whom have subsequently served within the Israeli Defence Forces before embarking on a career in Israel.
Samantha Landes, who completed the walk in nearly 6 hours said, “ What an incredible day! My 10 year old daughter, Georgia, and I were more than slightly apprehensive about walking such a long distance, but it was truly an exhilarating experience, and we completed the 12.4 miles, having loved every moment. I’m just delighted that the money we raised is going to such a great cause!
Laurence Stein, Development Director of British Friends of Boys Town Jerusalem who took part in the event with his 11 year old daughter, Rebecca, added, “ I’m sure there are easier ways of raising money! I’m 50 years old, overweight, flat footed, with a tendancy to suffer from gout, and yet I was able to complete this walk. I am astounded and overwhelmed that so many people wanted to raise money for Boys Town by participating in this event, and we really are most grateful to all of them for their incredible efforts.”