The Intelsius Camino Relay gives Intelsius employees a chance to walk a portion of the Camino de Santiago – a 780km pilgrimage route that traverses Spain, France, Portugal and Italy with all routes leading to The Santiago Cathedral in the city of Santiago de Compostela. Intelsius sponsors two employees each year to complete a leg of the walk. The chosen employees will then select a charity each to fundraise for, and we will match that fundraising amount for our corporate charity, ORCA.

The first leg of the walk was completed in 2018 by our employees Abi and Fiona, covering the first section of the Camino, a total of 113km from Saint Jean Pied de Port to the town of Estella. In 2019, another two employees continued the walk, Jayne and Patrycja walked a total of 120 km, ending their Camino journey in the town of Belorado. After a three-year Covid hiatus, two more Intelsius employees, Toby and Tracy walked from Belorado to Fromista in Northern Spain, trekking 140+ kilometres over 5 days, and finally last year, Chrissy and Gill walked 114km from Fromista to Leon.

The Camino journey continued this year. Planning & Procurement Coordinator Harriette Thompson and Production Operative James Thornton were selected to take part in the next leg of the Camino Walk, from Leon to Ponferrada. Harriette and James walked 104 km over 5 days.

In this blog, we speak to Harriette and James about their walking experience.

How was the Camino Walk? Tell us about your experience. 

James:

The walk was a great experience. I really enjoyed myself, and the weather was on our side too! We had beautiful clear skies and sun for most of it.

Harriette: 

The walk was amazing; I love to walk so it was great to get out somewhere new and spend time outside (the sunshine helped). The landscape was stunning, but you can see how it would be difficult for pilgrims back in the day with less access to technology.

 

What were some highlights and challenges you faced along the way?

James:

The most challenging part of the walk for me was the final leg, towards Ponferrada. The incline was more steep and in some moments, it was a challenge to keep going and not give up. As much as I liked the good weather and sunshine, it was also quite hot! Despite this, I am glad I finished it. The highlight for me, was reaching the Iron Cross in between the towns of Manjarín and Foncebadón. The Iron Cross marks the highest point of the entire Camino walk, so it was a treat to be able to reach it.

 

Harriette:

The highlights were definitely the landscape and the people you met along the way – we walked through the hills and it was tough but breathtaking, there were many of people who were walking the same route as James and I, but some others we met had been walking for much longer. I would personally love to go back to Spain and finish the whole walk.  One of the main challenges we faced was on the first day the length of the walk had increased to 37km, this was the longest day that we walked and it also felt like the hottest – I got quite badly sunburnt and James got some incredible blisters but when we made it , it was well worth it! This is the first time I’ve walked for this long on multiple days in a row so that was a new challenge for me but luckily did it with only one tiny blister!

 

How have your fundraising efforts gone?

James:

Everyone has been so generous, I have managed to raise £ 310.00 so far. I have chosen to fundraise for MacMillan Cancer Support because I am passionate about the work they do to help people.

 

Harriette:

So far I have raised £556 for Ronald Mcdonald House, I’m really grateful for everyone that has supported me with this as it’s a charity very close to my heart.

What would you say to Intelsius employees considering applying for the Camino 2025?

James:

I would say absolutely sign up and do it. The walk is an excellent experience and you will get a lot out of it.

 

Harriette:

Just do it! It’s a great experience to get to know a member of the team you may not know so well, and it’s very rewarding to feel like you have achieved something each day. Step outside the comfort zone and try something you may not have done before!

 

 

Support Harriette and James’ Fundraising

James and Harriette have been fundraising for two amazing charities, namely the Ronald MacDonald House and MacMillan Cancer Support. If you would like to support their fundraising efforts,  you can do so by accessing their Just Giving pages linked below:

Harriette: Ronald MacDonald House Charities

James: MacMillan Cancer Support 

Or you can scan the QR Codes below:

James’ Fundraising:

 

 

Harriette’s Fundraising: