Barmitzvah boy’s 100-mile walk for Jewish Care
Ahead of his big day, Jake Segal raised more than £500 for the Charity's Dementia Services, in memory of his papa
Andrew Sherwood is the Jewish News Sport and Community Editor
Jake Segal wanted to do something different for his forthcoming barmitzvah – so carried out a 100-mile walk to raise money for Jewish Care Dementia Services, in memory of his late papa.
The 12-year-old Yavneh College pupil said: “My papa Norman died from Alzheimer’s when I was three. With my barmitzvah coming up, I wanted to do something to remember him as it makes me sad that he won’t be there and I know he would have been really proud of me.”
Completing the challenge within a month, he walked around the capital with friends, explored Hampton Court and spent a day in Brighton walking with his grandma and grandpa. He said: “I felt it was important to raise money for a Jewish charity to mark my barmitzvah, to help people in the community and because my papa died of Alzheimer’s, I want to help other families who are in the same position.”
Not wanting the task to be too easy, he said: “We didn’t plan or schedule it, but did ensure I went the extra mile by getting off the train earlier than needed and walk to places we’d normally drive to. I found some days easier than others and felt very happy when I finally completed it.”
Proud of his efforts, parents Yvette and Paul said: “He told us he wanted to do something worthwhile to keep active, but to also help raise money for charity. Jake would have loved to have had his papa at his barmitzvah and this is his way of thinking about him.”
His sister Chloe said: “When he puts his mind to something he won’t stop until it’s done! Although he’s a pain, he’s still a very kind, athletic, person.”
Also grateful for his efforts is Esther Gilham, assistant director of fundraising. She said: “We’d like to congratulate and thank Jake for taking on this impressive challenge which shows imagination and dedication. Jake is helping to make a real difference.”
Looking ahead to further fundraising projects, he said: “I had a lot of support from lots of different people and have so far managed to raise more than £500. Although this was initially a one-off, it was a lot of fun and I may do another one some time.”
You can still sponsor Jake by clicking here:
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
