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Woman's 300-mile walk for 'life-changing' charity

Maddy Jennings
BBC News, Norfolk
Maddy Jennings/BBC Clare Pretty smiling and looking into the camera. She has grey hair, tied up, and a hoop earring in her left ear. She is wearing a brown knitted v-neck jumper, with a white collared shirt underneath. The background behind her is blurred, but greenery can be seen. On the left, there is a lamp post and a pink blossom tree.Maddy Jennings/BBC
Clare Pretty began her rehabilitation with the Norwich-based charity Hebron Housing in 2015

A woman who battled alcohol addiction is giving back to the charity that "changed her life".

Clare Pretty began her rehabilitation in 2015 with Norwich-based Hebron Housing, which provides supported living for vulnerable women.

She now works for the charity and this June will join its CEO, Emma Pawsey, on a 300-mile walk to raise money.

Ms Pretty said finishing the walk, from Norwich to the village of Hebron in Northumberland, would be a way of helping other women get the help that had made an "amazing difference" to her life.

"I'm originally from London, but I relocated to Norwich into Hebron's 'move on' house... to build on my self esteem and my confidence.

"From being in addiction for many, many years and being in denial about it, and from being in my deepest, darkest despair, it's changed my life, and changed me into the person I am today," she said.

Maddy Jennings/BBC Clare Pretty and Emma Pawsey walking side-by-side. Clare Pretty, on the left has blonde in a bun, and is wearing a brown v-neck jumper with a white shirt underneath. Emma Pawsey has brown hair and a full fringe. She is wearing dark glasses and a blue blazer. Both women are holding purple collecting tins. Maddy Jennings/BBC
Clare Pretty and Emma Pawsey last took part in a Hebron-to-Hebron walk in 2018

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The challenge has been called the Hebron-to-Hebron Walk, because they are going from Hebron Housing to the village of Hebron in Northumberland.

The two women will take no food or money and aim to get there by relying on the generosity of the people they meet.

A Hebron-to-Hebron Walk was also attempted in 2018, when they went from Norwich to the village of Hebron in Wales.

"It was unbelievable last time, the kindness of strangers," Ms Pretty said.

"We got lifts on tractors, in delivery vans, and by hitchhiking. We met some wonderful people."

Hebron Housing, which helps those fleeing domestic abuse, in recovery from an addiction and at risk of homelessness, has been providing supported living for 38 years.

Maddy Jennings/BBC Emma Pawsey smiling and looking into the camera. She has long brown hair and a fringe. She is wearing a light blue blazer, with a white t-shirt and a purple lanyard. Behind her, the background is blurred but there is greenery and a pink blossom tree.Maddy Jennings/BBC
Emma Pawsey has worked with the charity for 11 years

Ms Pawsey said "We have a constant waiting list for our service sadly, and women are in need.

"Women are coming to us from very difficult situations, and have very often not had the support they've needed their entire life.

"They come to us and we give them a beautiful home and bespoke, high level support.

"We help with accessing work and training, but also if someone has severe mental health problems and they perhaps can't even get up in the morning, we make sure they get up, go for a walk, and get out of the house at least once a day."

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