Pilgrimage trek a dream come true for Emilio

Emilio and Katy Dauden are aiming to complete the El Camino de Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage route in six weeks.

Former milkman Emilio (57) who moved to Britain 42 years ago and lives in Rawmarsh, said: “For years, I’ve wanted to do this.

“I wanted to do it for Cancer Research. I’ve lost family and friends to cancer, both when I was in Spain and since I’ve lived here. It’s a trip which I think will clear my mind.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity to spend time with Katy, too. It feels like people don’t get time for family as much now.

“But this is not an easy thing to do. Everybody is pushing the need to have insurance because it can be dangerous. The walk is not a walk in the park. A lot of it is psychological.

“You have to be very careful. I’ve been going to the gym for a couple of years now. I’m doing nine miles one day and then 18 the next.”

El Camino de Santiago de Compostela, which means The Way of St James, is a network of routes across Spain which were walked as a pilgrimage to the saint’s tomb in the Middle Ages.

Katy (33) who lives in London, said: “Nowadays, tens of thousands walk or cycle the Camino de Santiago every year in an epic journey of 500 miles. 

“There are people from all over the world with all kinds of motivations: sport, culture, religion, nature, adventure.”

The pair set off from Roncesvalles on Tuesday and hope to finish on May 9 - the birthday of Katy’s brother Sebastian, who died in 2012, aged 26.

Part of Emilio’s training saw him walk from his Kilnhurst Road home to meet Katy at Doncaster railway station - in the snow. 

The Wickersley St Alban’s parishioner said: “When I got to Conisbrough, my feet were on fire. I changed my shoes and then the sun came out for the rest of the way. 

“I think someone was looking over me and I hope that will be the same in Spain.”

Visit justgiving.com/emilio dauden to sponsor Emilio and Katy.