Stepping for a cause: Brit expat’s 1,050km stroll from Pattaya to Phuket raises 1 million baht for abused children

British expat James Lee Valentine demonstrated the power of determination and charity by completing a 1,050 kilometre walk from Pattaya to Phuket in Thailand. The walk aimed to raise 1 million baht for Take Care Kids, a children’s foundation based in Pattaya that supports underprivileged children who have suffered abuse.

The 59 year old, who has two children himself, was inspired to help the foundation after a visit opened his eyes to the desperate situations faced by the children under its care. Prior to the Pattaya-Phuket charity walk, Valentine raised 71,000 baht for the foundation by walking 33 kilometres from Pattaya to Jomtien Beach on Valentine’s Day, Bangkok Post reported.

Members of the Hash House Harriers, a group of social runners with chapters throughout Thailand, accompanied Valentine on his walks. The group sees itself as a charity organisation. Valentine was introduced to Take Care Kids in early January during one of the foundation’s fundraising activities in Pattaya.

Following the Pattaya-Jomtien charity walk, Valentine realised that more money would be needed to build a new foster home for the foundation. This inspired him to embark on the 48-day journey from Pattaya to Phuket, raising 200,000 baht in donations.

The charity walk was challenging, with Valentine facing narrow, uneven paths, intense heat, and physical pain. He was diagnosed with sciatica, a condition affecting the sciatic nerve, but after taking two days of rest, he continued his journey, and the pain from sciatica disappeared.

Valentine’s first charity walk took place in the United Kingdom with his older brother in 1996. He has since been committed to making a difference in the lives of those in need through long-distance walks for charity.

A few months ago, a group of talented artists in Phuket graciously volunteered to showcase and sell their artwork at an exhibition dedicated to improving the lives of underprivileged children.

This inspiring initiative not only aimed to raise much-needed funds for these young ones but also sought to bolster tourism and increase awareness about the importance of providing opportunities to all children. Read more HERE.