A long walk to meet the Pope

10:38am Wednesday 9th November 2005

A WOMAN walked over 100 miles between Assisi and Rome in Italy to raise money for underprivileged children in India.

Daphne Whitehouse, of Marlborough Road, Chingford, completed the walk in eight days last month and enjoyed an audience with the Pope when she reached Rome.

Mrs Whitehouse took the journey after she visited India last year and witnessed the severe deprivation many children suffer there.

She said: "It was a really long and beautiful walk, a great experience. By the time we met the Pope we were all exhausted and some of the walkers were ready to fall.

"It's great to be able to do something to help these children who live in terrible conditions. We managed to raise £1,000 for the building of the children's home in Kannura so I am very pleased."

Mrs Whitehouse took the walk with 95 others including James Twynam, the international peace troubadour who attends many of these events.

Construction of the home in India will cost £18,750 and monthly running costs total £1,250. For more details on how to help the project contact Mrs Whitehouse on metasurfer@aol.com.