A GROUP of Ararat residents from the Olive Branch Church of Christ are organising a charity walk for early October.
Organizer Heidi Gellert is working with other church members to arrange the event, which will see participants walk from the Alexandra Gardens around Ararat for either 10.8 kilometres or 5.6 kilometres on October 5.
The walk will raise funds for the charity Walk to Water.
The charity sends funds and aid to various locations across Africa and parts of the Middle East where people of the Christian faith are being targeted and persecuted by terrorist organisations and other groups.
An independent report released earlier this year out of Britain stated that forms of persecution in these regions ranged 'from routine discrimination in education, employment and social life up to genocidal attacks against Christian communities have led to a significant exodus of Christian believers from this region since the turn of the century.'
Funds raised from the walk will go towards projects including drilling boreholes in villages where Christians are denied access to clean water supplies, building and equipping health clinics, and training teachers.
Ms Gellert said participants will be able to donate on site or online.
"The money will go to persecuted Christians overseas," she said.
"I can't tell you the exact country because it's just getting that dangerous.
"This will be my fifth Walk to Water. I've done two in the past with this church and two in the past with my parents' help."
The day will also feature a free barbecue for tired walkers.
"We'll bring all our salads and slices and have a barbecue afterwards," Ms Gellert said.
For more information, including start point and time, or to register your interest for catering purposes, please call Heidi Gellert on 0437 691 974.
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