A SOUTHAMPTON woman has walked more than 55 miles for a refugee campaign to stand in solidarity with migrants.

Jude Maleski, a health care professional, travelled to Spain in August to take part in the ‘Share the Journey’ campaign, using it as a time to reflect on the long journeys people fleeing from war are forced to take.

The 62-year-old walked a more than a total of 55 miles of the 500 mile-long Camino de Santiago pilgrimage through Spain

Jude, from Highfield, said: “I wanted to take on the walk alone to reflect on the journeys so many are forced to make.

“Refugees and migrants face terrible situations and to add to that, aren’t always received well.

“That journey I took was a microscopic reflection of what a lot of refugees and migrants go through, and it was still quite tough.”

The ‘Share the Journey’ campaign was launched in September 2017 by Pope Francis and is being championed by Catholic organisation such as charity Catholic Agency For Overseas Development (CAFOD).

The charity work with local communities across Africa, Asia and Latin America to tackle poverty and “fight for justice” wherever the need is greatest, regardless of faith, background or gender.

Initially, CAFOD supporters were hoping to walk 24,900 miles – the distance around the world- but since the launch of the campaign, supporters have walked more than 100,000 miles, which is over four times round the globe.