Sydney’s 28km ‘Long Walk Home’ to raise money for people experiencing homelessness

By ERIN MODARO

Tomorrow Sydneysiders will walk 28km from Parramatta to Kings Cross in the Wayside Chapel’s ‘Long Walk Home’, raising money and awareness for those experiencing homelessness. The walk, now in its fifth year, encourages participants to raise a goal of $450 to go towards the cause.

Running through Parramatta, Rydalmere, Ermington, Meadowbank, Ryde, Gladesville, Hunters Hill, Drummoyne, Rozelle, Darling Harbour, and Kings Cross, the bright yellow shirts of the ‘Long Walk Home’ will brighten Sydney’s Streets on Friday October 7. 

Jon Owen, Wayside Chapel Pastor and CEO, says that the organisation is proud to provide help to those in need, especially as Australians experience “extreme financial pressure” during a cost of living crisis. 

“The Long Walk Home is an important event to make people pause for a moment and realise the devastating effect of homelessness and social isolation in our state” Owen said. 

Statistics from the Australian Institute of Heath and Welfare reveal that over 270,000 Australians sought help from specialist homelessness services in 2020 and 2021. Australia’s homeless population was estimated at 116,000 in 2016.

Owen said the Wayside Chapel see’s Australians seek help as a last resort.

“We have seen people, even families, forced to sleep on the streets and turn to services like Wayside as they do not have any other option” he said.

‘Long Walk’: a symbol of homelessness

‘The Long Walk’ ambassador and Wiradjuri man Byron Gray has first hand experience of homelessness, and aims to bring awareness to others struggling to find housing.

“This Long Walk Home resonates with me deeply” Gray said. 

For Gray, the long walk represents walking to find shelter while he was experiencing homelessness.

“For years I’d wake up at railway stations, in parks, on football ovals, and down in rivers, often cold and freezing in the middle of winter. I was blessed to be waking up at all. It was a bonus if I had another day of life,

“I am a father of four and a proud Wiradjuri man. I grew up in a small town in the central west of NSW. Ever since I was a young boy, I was exposed to the damaging impact of addiction and I didn’t want my sons to witness what I did growing up.”

The walk begins in Parramatta at 4pm and takes participants across Sydney suburbs before finishing in Kings Cross at 10pm. Participation costs are $50, including a t-shirt to wear to the event.