Owen Charnley, 33, from Rochdale, is undertaking a long-distance fundraising walk from Azerbaijan to his hometown to support two of Manchester’s leading homeless charities: Barnabus and the Booth Centre. His route spans thousands of miles and crosses multiple countries, demonstrating considerable physical endurance and dedication to raising awareness and funds for people experiencing homelessness.
Charnley, who grew up in Rochdale, engaged directly with individuals living on the streets of Manchester to identify the most effective charities. Barnabus and the Booth Centre were consistently recommended for their work in providing essential services and long-term support. Barnabus, founded in 1991, operates the Beacon Drop-In Centre, providing meals, showers, clothing, medical care, recovery programmes, creative activities, and one-to-one support. It also runs supported housing and employability programmes to help individuals regain independence and achieve stability.
The Booth Centre, founded in 1995 and now located in Edward Holt House, Pimblett Street, provides health and wellbeing support, housing advice, employment and training guidance, and social and creative activities. Both charities collaborate with other organisations across Greater Manchester to set minimum standards for emergency accommodation, streamline referrals, and offer comprehensive support to those sleeping rough.
Homelessness in Greater Manchester remains a significant concern. A single-night count in Autumn 2024 recorded 154 people sleeping rough in the region, compared to 149 in 2023. This figure represents a continuing need for services addressing both immediate and long-term solutions. Across Manchester, 26.63 households per 1,000 are recorded as experiencing homelessness, higher than the national average of 13.42 households per 1,000. Nationally, more than 354,000 people in England are homeless, including 161,500 children. These figures highlight the scale of the problem and the importance of effective local charities.
Charnley’s journey from Azerbaijan to Rochdale is a demonstration of exceptional courage and personal commitment. Walking thousands of miles across diverse terrain requires physical resilience and mental determination, reflecting both the seriousness of the cause and his dedication to making a measurable difference. His fundraising efforts are designed not only to provide financial support but also to increase public awareness of the challenges faced by people experiencing homelessness in Manchester.
Through this walk, Charnley aims to enable Barnabus and the Booth Centre to continue providing critical services, including immediate support such as meals, showers, and shelter, as well as long-term pathways out of homelessness through housing, employability, and wellbeing initiatives. The journey also draws attention to the broader issue of homelessness across the UK and the need for continued investment in effective local support services.
Owen Charnley’s Rochdale walk exemplifies how individual action, commitment, and courage can support charitable organisations and inspire wider community engagement in addressing homelessness.
