44’s Senior Project Manager, Sam Docking, has been going the distance for Project Play, undertaking a 5,000KM charity walk with friends. At just over half-way in this lengthy but worthwhile journey, Sam fills us in on her motivations and why Project Play is so important.

What charity are your fundraising efforts in aid of?

Project Play is a tiny volunteer-led charity that works with displaced children in northern France, providing them with safe spaces to play, learn and be themselves. Every child should have access to a safe childhood and the opportunity to develop their full potential.

The reality for hundreds of children in Calais can be days without water, electricity, food or other essentials. So, we are walking to bring joy and learning to children who – without the efforts of Project Play – wouldn’t have access to it.

What was the inspiration behind this and why is it important to you?

My friend Helen was the inspiration. She’s ticking off a ‘40 before 40 list’ and supporting Project Play was on her list. However, knowing Helen, this couldn’t just be a 5KM run or hastily written cheque. To kick off 2023, Helen contacted friends across the globe to suggest we collectively walk 5,000KM before her big birthday in August to raise money for Project Play. The group of people stretches from Geneva to Ottawa, and London to Linlithgow, so it’s truly a global affair.

As a parent, I simply had to get involved. I have two four-year-olds who have recently started school, and an eight-year-old. They love school and everything it offers them. Knowing the children Project Play supports are unable to experience this joy, I instantly wanted to support the cause.

Why 5,000KM and how far do you travel on walks?

5,000KM is the kind of distance that many displaced children in Calais will have journeyed, alone or accompanied. So, it felt only right to commit to walking this distance between us.

My friend Vic and I meet at 6.15am every Wednesday and walk 5KM before the rest of our families are awake. We joke that we have put the world to rights before the day has begun. I also try to fit in longer walks at the weekend; I’m doing about 50KM a month. For me, it’s been a great way to get moving, which we all know is great for both the body and mind.

Our sponsorship target is £6,300 which is the equivalent to a month’s play. We’ve collectively raised £1,500 so far, walking 2,780KMs. As a collective, we’ve almost crossed an entire country over the past 14 days and are now deep into Bosnia Herzegovina… we have made it to a town called Zenica. We have got 2,200KMs left to reach our target and a few additional fundraisers to go!

To support Sam’s cause and to learn more, visit her Just Giving page.