Walking citizens funding advice

People from across the borough joined forces with Citizens Advice Epsom & Ewell (CAEE) to raise
vital funds for those at the forefront of the cost-of-living crisis.

Nearly 50 staff, volunteers and supporters went the extra mile on Sunday 14 May 2023 by walking a
self-guided 5 mile route around Horton County Park or 10 mile route through the Epsom countryside
to raise funds for the charity.

Image: Cllr Kieran Persand, Chris Grayling MP, Sue Grayling, Lisa Davis CEO CAEE, Louise Curd CAEE, volunteer Chris Bruce CAEE, Cllr Bernie Muir

Supporters who took part on Sunday included MP Chris Grayling and Horton councillors Bernie Muir and Kieran Persand. Epsom and Ewell Rotaries both fielded volunteers to help on the day plus some CAEE staff and volunteers who gave up their Sunday.

The event is expected to raise over £1,000. Anyone who would like to walk the route and donate or
even just donate, can visit the CAEE Just Giving page. All funds raised during Sunday’s event will go
directly into supporting frontline services.

One of the people CAEE has helped is Tom (not his real name), a man in his 50s who lives alone in a
rented property. He is typical of many of CAEE’s clients and their multiple (and sometimes hidden)
vulnerabilities. When Tom first came to CAEE he was defensive, lacked confidence dealing with
people and his finances and had spiralling rent arrears, council tax liabilities, water arrears and other
debts. His paperwork was chaotic and incomplete and Tom found appointments challenging.

Over a period of time, advisers at CAEE have been working regularly with Tom and he has taken
giant leaps forward and is now in a much better situation. CAEE has empowered Tom to work at a
pace that he can cope with to help him overcome some of his difficulties.

Lisa Davis, CEO of CAEE, said: “We’re so grateful to everyone who rallied together this weekend. Every day our advisers hear from people who are stressed, isolated and frightened as they try to deal with the cost-of-living crisis. We’re working flat out to help people find a way forward. But we’re a charity and our services are stretched. All the funds raised by the people of Epsom and Ewell will help us get crisis support for those who need it.”