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The Way of St James for James

By Mitchell Roberts

My Activity Tracking

877
kms

My target 790 kms

On the 18th of December 2024 I lost my beautiful partner James to his battle with mental health. 


In the immediate aftermath of losing James I struggled with my own suicidality and Lifeline and Suicideline Victoria (managed by Lifeline) were invaluable supports to help me through some of the darkest and hardest parts of my grief. 


One of my favourite things to do with James was getting out into nature and going hiking. Anyone who knew James knows how he would love to stand at a lookout and point out all the landmarks - his passion for nature and topography fostered since he was young by his father, Richard, a land surveyor. 


In James’ memory and to help process this incomprehensible loss I have resolved to hike the Camino Frances, one of the paths in the network of pilgrimages across Spain, Portugal and France known as the Way of St James. The ‘French Way’ is A 790km hike from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port in France to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. 


If you knew James, if you know someone struggling with their mental health, if you have struggled with your own mental health and if you have the means please consider donating to help support lifeline and their many services to support those in need.

Please help me reach my goal.

Raised

$10,700

My Goal

$10,000

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$39
$50
$78
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My Achievements

My Updates

The Call

Just over eight months ago my beautiful James took his own life. The fog of my earliest grief was so thick and heavy that many days I thought i’d join him. 

About two or three months after James died a crack of light shone through and I felt a calling to go out into nature. I found myself hiking, stopping along the way to sit and write to James. It brought some peace but the call was still there. I thought I needed to go camping but that didn’t feel quite right. I wanted movement and space. 

I started to look into multi-day hikes around Australia but, by the time I felt ready to contemplate going, winter had set in. I started to look further afield and one day James’ dad, Rich, suggested I look into the Camino de Santiago - a series of pilgrimage routes across France, Spain and Portugal covering hundreds of kilometres - in English it is known as The Way of St James. 

*click* This was it - the call was clear.

I set about reading blogs, watching YouTube videos, compiling packing lists. I put together my supplies and started to do practice walks. I picked my Camino, Camino Frances - 790km from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Compostela de Santiago. I booked a plane ticket. And then I froze. Suddenly it felt too monumental and ridiculous, to be going away without James, without his aptitude for planning - checking stops and menus and parking… it felt too big and a bit absurd… but what is truly absurd is that the reality we live in each day is one without him in it. Saying the words ‘James is dead’ still catches in my throat at times… it shouldn’t be something I’m saying. 

The way through grief has never felt clear, it is messy, confusing, and so completely non-linear - some days I cannot feel or find James no matter how hard I try and other days it’s like he’s sitting on my chest and I can hardly breathe. In those moments I’ve been told to focus on just the very next step. 

So here I sit in Abu Dhabi airport, halfway to Europe to start my walk for James along the way of St James - and how I so wish it was something we were doing together. I am dedicating this walk to James’ memory and raising funds for Lifeline (link in bio) Beun Camino, you are loved, there is always hope  x

Thank you to my Sponsors

$1,000

Anonymous

$300

Thibaut Mauger

Good luck for the last kms!! What you’re doing is amazing 💙💙💙

$300

Eli Hazell

Sending love and strength xx

$250

Anonymous

$250

Jackson Reedman

$250

Dane Iles

Time doesn’t heal all wounds. It’s what you do with the time that makes it possible to heal ❤️

$250

Alex Jean

<3

$250

Robbie Van Dijk

Sending lots of love, strength, and blister pads.

$250

Jake Gipson

$250

James Roy

$250

Nick Bicko

$250

Casey

💙💙💙

$200

Linton

$200

Dean Gourley

$200

Carole & Richard Simpson

In memory of our beautiful James. We are with you every step Mitch. Lots of love Carole & Rich

$200

Kate Macdonald

💙

$150

Cheryl O'neil

If only a donation could be as bountiful as my thanks to Lifeline for uplifting my son, Mitchell. My greatest sadness is in not getting to know James as I had hoped. Buen Camino with all my love, Mum x

$150

Sonya Curciev

Proud of you - one step at a time xx

$140

Darren

Well done Mitch. In awe of every step you’ve taken on this journey. Much love xx

$100

Hector & Rob

$100

Paul T

So Proud of you.

$100

Taryn

All my love

$100

Kirk Davies

Glad to have a friend to walk with :)

$100

Katie And Jack

It’s been so great to follow your journey Mitch, such an amazing and brave effort - sending you lots of love

$100

Kate

So proud of you darling human, and I know James would be too xx

$100

Samantha Dodemaide

💙💙💙💙💙💙

$100

Shannon

What a beautiful idea Mitch x

$100

Alex

$100

Levi K

$100

Jennifer Anderson

$100

Sharon Anderson

Dearest Mitch, My wish for you as you walk…deep peace, sweet memories and gentle renewal. Love you. xx

$100

Timothy Langan

$100

Alexander Stevanovic

$100

Phill Pymm

$100

Emma Crott

What an amazing tribute to your love James! I hope the journey is healing & brings you peace. Sending love and strength x

$100

Georgia Love

You’re incredible Mitch 💙

$100

Ken And Karen Anderson

Walk on, beautiful Mitch. So proud of you.

$100

Jarrod Haberfield

$100

Abe Watson

Forever proud of you, beautiful man xxx

$100

Joshua

$100

Matt Stevenson

$100

Jesse

❤️

$100

Matty And Dean

So proud of you Mitch. Xxx

$80

Stephanie Adams

Keep going Mitch x

$70

Smoosh

Proud of you.

$50

Jarrad Sharp

You are one of the strongest people I’ve ever met. Keep your chin up and keep dancing x

$50

Steve Osborne

$50

Ciaran Head

❤️ ❤️

$50

Laura

💙💙💙

$50

Chad

$50

Jake Hartmann

$50

Alexia

He’s walking with you my friend x

$50

Jason Ball

This is such a beautiful tribute, Mitch. Sending love and strength, we’re with you every step of the way 💙

$50

Jo Cunningham

Thinking of you Mitch on your special spiritual journey in memory of beautiful James, a man who left us all too early. James you will never be forgotten RIP🙏🩷

$50

Laura Fitzpatrick

$50

Anonymous

$50

Anonymous

$50

Trish Camino

So proud of your commitment to James and making a difference

$50

Freya Magee

$50

Jeff Van De Zandt

$50

Adam Pulford

$50

Carla Mccallum

Keep walking x

$50

Rebecca Taylor

What a beautiful pilgrimage… 🩷

$50

Rhianna Lewis

Proud of you x

$50

Alexa Guerin

$50

Suzie Spence

What a wonderful trek to do Mitch, in honour of your beautiful James. One step at a time. Much love ❤️

$50

Janayé

🤍

$50

Adele Parkinson

Proud of you Mitch <3

$50

Dean

Thinking of you and of James x

$50

Nicholas Sherrard

$50

Josh Lipscombe

Xx

$50

Briar Skillitzi

An amazing achievement in memory of your beloved James. So proud of you bro xx

$50

Anonymous

$50

Mikki

I didn't know your beautiful James but sending you so much love and strength and can't imagine what you have been through. Stay strong and surround yourself with the ones who love you xxx

$50

Jess Walker

❤️

$50

Louay Baroun-agob

$50

Roki

James would be so proud of you Mitch! Thinking of you, and sending you strength, love and joy 😘

$50

Gillian Cosgriff

$50

Ed Hargrave

$50

Karen Sparks

Mitch this is a wonderful tribute to your partner James, I’m sure he is hiking with you in spirit. I’m a long time tennis friend of Carol, Karen xox

$50

Phil Preston

Amazing watching your journey. Rooting for you all the way x

$50

Kate Allnutt

Sending lots of love to you on this journey.

$50

Liss V

Proud of you x

$50

Antonia Marr

You are incredible! Sending love ❤️

$40

Hayley Tantau

$40

Clare Atkinson

All the absolute best X

$40

Portia And Ben

Buen Camino, love Portia and Ben xxx

$30

Troi Mcdermott

I’m so proud of you, don’t lose sight of what you want to achieve, you’re an inspiration xx

$25

Hayley M

You’ve got this Mitch!!! So so brave.

$25

Heath Schmidt

$25

Tom Polson

$25

Tallan Crowe

💙

$25

Karen Mcginness

Thinking of you as you travel on your healing journey. I am so sorry for your loss. You are an amazing person, I’m sue Jams will be walking along beside you.

$25

Chalrie

$25

Tara Mccarthy

$25

Anonymous

$25

Jackson Hirst

Love you!!! And proud of what you’re doing. RIP James 😘😘

$25

Brenton

$25

Max Desservettaz

All the best Mitch. Stay strong and walk on.

$25

Josie Lane

$25

Erin

Such a beautiful way to connect to your grieving process. I hope this tiny opening of hope begins widening, sending all my love. Have a beautiful journey Mitch xxx

$25

Anonymous

$25

Sarah Collins

Such a perfect tribute.

$25

Hannah P

What a beautiful tribute to James, and for you as well. May every step of the hike bring a little more light to help navigate through the fog. Take care, Mitch - sending love xx

$25

Natasha Slee

Incredible work turning the greatest heartbreak into something meaningful to help others.

$25

Ethan Ames

$25

Anonymous

$25

Charles Atkinson

$25

Greg Airey And Wesley Dow

Sending you love on your inspiring journey Mitch xx

$25

Ashley Mckenzie

Love you x

$25

Martine Wengrow And Bryn Bowen

Thank you for telling this pet of your story Mitch, and setting up this fundraiser. Lots of love and support x

$25

Lucy Charlesworth

Lovely idea Mitch- best of luck with the hike xx

$25

Ella

Well done, Mitch! It was great to share your journey on the Camino xx

$25

Glenn Ferguson

$25

Bram Harris

$25

Matthew Lyons

$25

Ahmed Radwan

So inspiring to see you create something so positive with your grief

$25

Ryan Gonzalez

$25

Dev B

So proud of you, gorgeous man!

$25

Anonymous

You’re a gem, Mitch. Keep going!

$20

Nb

You’re doing an amazing job Mitch :)

$20

Brant Dixon

$20

Kelly Hills

Best of luck Mitch for your walk.

$20

Tayla Lapic

$15

Nigel Huckle

$15

Anonymous

$10

Laura Morrisby

$10

Anonymous

$10

Anonymous

So proud of you

$10

Julie

Sorry it is not much but I hope it helps.

$10

Ryan S

Amazing cause ❤️