Reverend's 3,000-mile ‘virtual pilgrimage’ inspired by family's own sight struggles

Why it matters: Revd Simon Ramacci BEM, from the Benefice of Westerfield and Tuddenham St Martin with Witnesham, is taking on a "virtual pilgrimage" to raise funds for the St John of Jerusalem Eye Hospital Group, which provides eye care for people in the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem.

The details: Revd Simon plans to walk 3,000 miles – the distance from Ipswich to Jerusalem, minus the boat crossing – tracking his progress on a widget on his laptop and posting frequent updates so supporters can follow along.

The Eye Hospital 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 served the region ever since as part of the Venerable Order of St John.

What they're saying: Revd Simon said his wife and toddler's own visual impairments gave the cause personal significance for his family.

"There is also a deeply personal reason for supporting the Eye Hospital," he said. "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."

He said his involvement with another Order of St John charity over the past 12 years had also shaped his decision.

"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," he said. "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."

For context: Revd Simon is hoping local residents will join him on the walk. "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," he said.

The bottom line: Drawing on his own family's experience of visual impairment, Revd Simon hopes his 3,000-mile challenge will raise both funds and awareness for a charity providing eye care to some of the world's most vulnerable communities.

To find out more or to donate, visit justgiving.com/page/simon-pilgrimage.

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