Stephanie Wood

Long Walk Home

I’m a Big Heart Club Member

I have pledged to choose love over hate to show people experiencing homelessness that they are not alone.

Wayside, the heart of Sydney

In about 2009, I had my first encounter with the Wayside Chapel. I was a staff writer at The Sydney Morning Herald and wrote a long profile story on the then Wayside pastor, Graham Long, and also interviewed Wayside visitors including Heath and Sam and Gary. From that day on I was hooked ... I remain hooked on the grand Wayside project ... the big love and kindness here, the respect for all-comers, the remarkable stories of courage and resilience, and the sense of warmth and humour that permeates everything. I'm so thrilled to be able to do a little bit to help Wayside's work by joining the Long Walk Home. Mind you, my feet and legs are nervous!

Why I'm preparing to walk 28km and how you can help

I'm Stephanie Wood ... a journalist and author. I love Wayside and its work. I love its big heart and even bigger welcome for all-comers. I really believe that it is one of Sydney's most important institutions. Without it, Sydney would be a lesser, harsher, meaner place. I'm preparing to walk 28km from Parramatta to Kings Cross to help raise money for Wayside. I'd love your support for my walk ... and hence Wayside!

So far I helped deliver:

121

care packs

606

home-cooked meals

48

days crisis accommodation

…to people sleeping rough on our streets or in crisis.

My Achievements

Thank you to my Sponsors

$126.60

Steve Thomas

$126.60

Pat Woolley

$126.60

Andreea Papuc

Such an amazing cause, Stephanie.. Well done! Will be thinking of you and cheering you on.

$126.60

Anna Saunders

I have also loved Wayside Chapel since interviewing Graham. 28km is impressive!

$126.60

Matched Donation

$126.60

Megan Fletcher

Good one Stephie!

$105.50

Kylie Munnich

Such an important cause. Thank you for putting yourself out there to help unhoused people.

$101.50

Susan Molony

Wishing u all the best - you are a very talented journalist

$52.75

Jane H

Bravo Steph!

$52.75

Elissa Howie

$52.75

Thea Hunter

Thank you for your magnificent newsletter and enjoy the walk! Such a wonderful charity.

$52.75

Kate

Thanks Stephanie for your fundraising efforts!! Good luck with the walking. I really enjoy reading your newsletter every week.

$52.75

Matched Donation

$52.75

Kim

$52.75

Lynnette Goh

What a wonderful thing to do. Godspeed on your 28km journey and thank you for raising awareness about the plight of ordinary folk amongst us doing it tough.

$52.75

Jenny M

$52.75

Annie Wale

28 kilometres IS a long way and I really appreciate you bringing this awful truth to our attention. Fingers crossed that you exceed your target!

$52.75

Kathy Lindsay

That’s a serious walk for a most important cause. Thanks for stepping up!

$52.75

Meredith Curnow

With admiration.

$52.75

Sarah Hay

Nice one Stephanie - good luck with the blisters x

$52.75

Carey Badcoe

Wonderful cause and a wonderful writer xxx

$52.75

Lynda

Walking for purpose and care. This is an amazing organisation, I wish you and Wayside success for the day

$52.75

Matched Donation

$52.75

Julie Holmes

$52.75

Narelle

Onya, Steph!

$52.75

Matched Donation

$52.75

Jacqueline Greenham

Thanks for your effort in supporting this wonderful organisation

$52.75

Michelle Partridge

Good on you!

$52.75

Janice Gibson

Love your writing so much, just wanted to support you and the incredible effort you’ve made for this deserving organisation

$52.75

Joel Meares

Proud of you (in advance)

$52.75

Greg Callaghan

Well done for doing this, Steph

$52.75

Michelle Hurley

Amazing thing to do, good luck my friend xx

$52.75

Anthea Sudell

$52.75

Lizzie

Great work Stephanie. Walk well.

$52.75

Sam Wong

Go Steph! Good luck tomorrow :-)

$52.75

Mossy

Wish I could walk it with you Stephie.

$52.75

Matched Donation

$52.75

Fiona Hamilton

Fantastic effort Stephanie for a fantastic cause. Go well my friend.

$52.75

Mere

Go you good thing x

$52.75

Clare Forster

With admiration

$52.75

Michael Burston

A worthwhile cause from what you’ve disclosed. Apolitical too. Such a relief

$52.75

Mairin Gibbes

There but for the Grace of God… Great cause Stephanie and we’ll done!

$52.25

Sally Munro

Well done Stephanie! What a great effort. I’m not sure I could have done that.

$52

Caro Sutton

Great Effort for a Great Cause

$52

Matched Donation

$51.88

Julia Munro

Great cause, well done

$51.88

Matched Donation

$51.88

Maritsa

$51

Kim

Great cause and that looks like a lot more fun than an ocean swim…..

$51

Fran

Go Steph!

$51

Helen Ferris

Thank you Stephanie for your weekly newsletter & for doing this walk. Wayside chapel is such an important resource - a port in the storm - & sydneysiders are grateful for its services.

$51

Matched Donation

$36.31

Erin O'hara

$31.65

Belinda White

Good luck for a great cause!

$30

Anonymous

$26.38

Jackie

Well done , amazing effort !

$26.38

Robin Cowcher

Go well Steph! X

$26.38

Anonymous

$26.38

Johanna Swales

Good on you for doing what you do and thanks for bringing this to my attention.

$25.94

Mary Hall

Well done Stephanie

$25

Lynn Ellis

Fantastic! You’re an amazing woman and inspiration. We are all just a bad decision, accident or illness from homelessness.

$21.10

Anonymous

Great cause

$21.10

Christine Maxwell

Great cause Stephanie!

$21.10

Annie Bowen

$21.10

Lisa Holdsworth

Well done!

$20.75

Anonymous