Fitness trainer embarks on epic 212-mile walk for Holocaust Memorial Day

A 23-year old fitness coach from Manchester is trekking the equivalent of eight marathons to raise awareness for Holocaust Memorial Day and raise funds for the Yad Vashem UK Foundation.

After “stocking up on challah”, Yoel Levy sets off from his family home in Hale at 4am on Sunday, having only decided to undertake the five-day challenge a few weeks ago.

Levy aims to complete his trek on Holocaust Memorial Day, Friday 27 January, at Yad Vashem’s UK offices in north-west London, after which he’ll catch a well-earned train journey back home.

He told Jewish News: “I’m doing this to honour the memory of those who suffered during the Holocaust. The walk will be a challenging but meaningful way to show support and raise awareness for its victims.”

Walking 12 to 15 hours daily, he aims to reach his first overnight stop in Stoke at around 3pm. He’s mapped a route to avoid motorways, focus on country roads and footpaths and has included additional layovers in Lichfield, Coventry, Milton Keynes and finally Watford.

Carrying a rucksack with hiking boots, trainers and sliders “to relax and give my feet a breather in hotels”, Levy plans on using breakfast boxes for additional sustenance, saying good pastries are “a great way to start the day for a 14-hour walk across the UK”.

Documenting his journey along the way across social media, each day Yoel will post a video on Instagram, dedicated to an athlete lost to the Holocaust “to educate myself and educate others.”

You can support Yoel by clicking here.