Walk for Wellbeing South Downs Challenge

The South Downs Way

Join fellow supporters of the Charlie Waller Trust on our UK Walk for Wellbeing, taking on the South Downs Challenge and help us continue our crucial work. 

You will trek 13.1 miles/21.2km along The South Downs Way, renowned for its diverse landscapes, cultural landmarks, and challenging terrain. Around 40% of this trek is uphill, and over 55% is downhill — it is not for the faint-hearted, and you will require a good level of fitness to tackle the ascents and descents. Your stamina will undoubtedly be put to the test.

Minimum age for participants in the event is 18.

Please note, this event is not organised by the Charlie Waller Trust but by Tribal Tracks, a third party event organiser.

Can't make it to the South Downs? Join us for the Virtual Walk for Wellbeing. More information coming soon!

Key Information

Date: October 11 2025

Start Time: Registration from 8:30, walk starting at 9:30

End Time: 16:30 approx.

Event Capacity: 50

Cost: £45 plus a minimum of £250 in sponsorship.

Sign up today and support mental health.

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A tough half-marathon distance trek across undulating terrain, taking in the beauty of this gorgeous UK coastline.

Experienced Tribal Tracks leaders will support you on this challenging circular trek, crossing paths with the South Downs Way. The South Downs are renowned for its diverse landscapes, cultural landmarks, and energy-sapping terrain. We start and finish at Bullock Down Farm located on Beachy Head Road.
The first 6km of the route is fairly flat, following public right of ways through fields and access land. At Friston there is a main road to cross before we enter Friston Forest where we follow major forest tracks past Friston Palace, north west towards Westdean. Here we will reach a car park with a visitor centre and public toilets before heading south joining the South Down Way and into the Seven Sisters Country Park. We will follow the coastline towards the National Trust Car Park at Birling Gap where we will take a lunch stop. From the lunch stop car park the route heads south towards the coastline. There is a gentle climb up onto the Seven Sisters, from here it follows the coastline to Birling Gap and onto the lighthouse. The coastal part of the route is a series of ascents and descents with stunning views of the white cliffs. We follow the coastline right up to the edge of Eastbourne and then make a final steep ascent up onto Beachy Head Road and back into Bullock Down Farm.

Walk for Wellbeing - Side by side for mental health

One in four adults and one in 10 children experience mental illness, and many more of us know and care for people who do. For those struggling with their mental health, talking about it is usually the first step to getting better.

The Charlie Waller Trust is all about helping people to talk about their mental health, to learn to take care of themselves and get the support they need.

Whatever our experience, sharing it with others can be very positive. Knowing we’re not alone with difficult feelings can be a huge relief. Often we don’t even have to talk in any detail – just knowing that others have been in a similar place can be enough to give us hope.

That’s part of the thinking behind our Walk for Wellbeing. As Lucy says, "Supporting my daughter through depression and an eating disorder is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. Going for long walks with my dog and a good friend, made a massive difference to my own wellbeing. It was a way to ‘let off steam’ in a healthy way and just by walking and talking with someone who I felt really cared, helped keep me feeling hopeful."

Why not join us on this amazing trek across undulating terrain, taking in the beauty of the gorgeous UK coastline. You and your fellow trekkers may all come from different walks of life, but you can be sure there’s one thing we all share: an understanding of mental health challenges and a passion for increasing everyone’s wellbeing.

£45 per person and minimum £250 in sponsorship.

The Trip Includes:

  • Tribal Tracks UK qualified mountain leader;
  • Logistical support crew;
  • Virtual pre-departure briefing;
  • Dedicated pre-departure support from a named Tribal Tracks director.
  • Public Liability Insurance
  • Risk assessment and emergency management planning
  • A-Z of fundraising ideas
  • Support materials (itinerary, kit list, fact files, Q&As, health notes, travel tips, responsible travel policy and guidance)
  • Fundraising advice
  • A Packed lunch and drinks on the day of the trek.

The Trip Excludes:

  • Personal travel insurance, personal equipment and clothing
  • Personal items

We kindly ask you to raise a minimum of £250 in sponsorship. This is in addition to the £45 registaration cost per person.

We want to make sure that we provide you with all the support and encouragement needed to make this event an experience to remember. We want you to truly feel like you are a part of #TeamCharlieWaller.

What happens if I do not raise the minimum fundraising target?

  • We have a dedicated fundraising team who will be there to support you on fundraising ideas and tips to help you reach your target
  • We set a minimum fundraising target to ensure we are able to cover the cost of the place
  • Please make sure you feel confident you'll be able to hit target before you apply
  • If you are struggling, please get in touch, we're here to help.

Terms and Conditions for a guaranteed place for the Charlie Waller Trust.

Please read these carefully before registering for a place.

Charlie Waller South Downs Challenge (the ‘Event’)
11 October 2025

Participation and Fundraising
By accepting a guaranteed place in the Event you agree with the Charlie Waller Trust (the 'Trust') that you:
• Will inform the Trust immediately if you are unable to take part in the Event
• Will pay a registration fee of £45 to Tribal Tracks by 30 September 2025
• Will pledge to raise a minimum of £250 for the Trust
• Will contact the Trust as soon as possible if you are not sure you are able to raise the funds required
• Will only use lawful means to fundraise for the Trust and will not do anything that harms or is likely to harm the reputation of the Trust
• Agree that Gift Aid payments cannot be counted towards your fundraising pledge and instead will be considered as over and above the pledged fundraising total
• Give permission for your name, photograph, feedback and comments to be used free of charge in any future publicity, advertising, fundraising materials and on our social media channels and/or promotion of the Trust. Please note that your data will be shared between Tribal Tracks (Third party organiser) and the Trust for these purposes.

Health & Safety
I confirm that:
• I am taking part in the event at my own risk and will not hold the Trust responsible for any accident, injury or illness sustained
• I will prepare myself to the best of my ability for the physical challenge and will check with my doctor if I have any concerns as to whether I am medically fit to participate in the Event
• I will comply with the health and safety and other rules and regulations issued by the Event organisers

I accept all points stated in these terms and conditions.

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