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Walking group to raise money for hurricane relief
A community walking group is set to walk from Bristol to Bath to raise funds for aid in the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa.
Steppin Sistas and Steppin Bruddas will be joining forces for the open-to-all fundraiser, spanning ten miles, on Sunday.
Money raised will be put towards covering shipping costs and transportation to make sure aid reaches Jamaica.
Sophie Brown has been running walks for women of colour in Bristol since 2021 – photo: Sophie Brown
Steppin Sistas founder, Sophie Brown, told Bristol24/7: “There’s obviously a need for aid out there.
“I know there’s a lot of different organisations collecting barrels and necessities and I thought maybe, if I could raise some money to help to cover shipping expenses or more barrels.”
Brown said that one barrel costs around £75, and wants to make sure that all the work people are doing to help those affected in Jamaica is getting to them.
She said: “There’s a tremendous amount of aid going out there as it is, but we need to make sure it all gets shipped over too.
“I know Jamaica is a small island but this isn’t likely to be a one-off thing.
“These people are hungry, they’ve got children and themselves to feed and it’s going to be an ongoing issue for quite a few months as far as I can see.”
Brown has been running Steppin Sistas since 2021, which works to facilitate countryside trips for women of colour.
She believes that combining walking and fundraising will be beneficial for everyone.
Check out “10 MILE FUNDRAISER WALK AND AFTER FUNDRAISER PARTY HURRICANE MELLISA 2025” on Eventbrite!
Date: Sun 16 Nov, 12:00
Location: Kennet and Avon Canalhttps://t.co/1i9uB6FyJJ
— Bristol Steppin Sistas (@BrisStepSista) November 9, 2025
“It’s a very stressful time for a lot of people, and it serves as a kind of distraction,” she said.
“It’s not going to go away, but it can maybe help people relax and I think walking can do that.”
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Brown hopes that the canal-side walk will connect people with the cause, saying that walking by the water always makes her feel more linked to her family in Jamaica.
The fundraiser also has an after party at the Centurion in Bath, hosting a dance to celebrate the end of the walk.
Brown encourages anyone who can to get involved and join them on Sunday, or donate to their fundraiser.
Main photo: Steppin Sistas
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