Via Francigena

The Carlie Tufnell Charitable Trust

We, four friends, had come to Siena in early June 2022 to raise funds for The Carlie Tufnell Charitable Trust by walking the final stretch of the Via Francigena to the Vatican. A little over two years ago, on 9 March 2021, our dear friend Carlie (Temple 17) took his own life. Carlie was a truly gentle and unbelievably caring soul for whom life was pursued through the tending of others. By completing this pilgrimage, Hugh Buxton (Temple 17), George Williams (Temple 17), Sebastian Wood (Temple 17) and I wished to commemorate the life of a wonderful friend taken from us too soon and open conversations on male mental health.

…it’s speaking openly about mental health to reduce the stigma and open up the conversation

For an extended version – which delves into the history of the Via Francigena, discloses antics unpublishable in this magazine and features more photos, please click here.

Sam Montgomery (Temple 17)