Register now to take part in South Downs Trek in support of hospice

This year’s event, which coincides with Hospice Care Week, takes place on Saturday October 8.

Open to both men and women, the trek starts at Devil’s Dyke and takes in the beautiful scenery of the South Downs National Park, before finishing at St Barnabas House.

Last year’s inaugural event was a huge success with over 100 walkers taking part, raising 40,000 for the hospice. This year the charity is hoping to grow the number of participants to 200 and raise £80,000 in the process.

Many of the people who took part in last year’s South Downs Trek were walking in memory of family members who were cared for by St Barnabas House.

Chippy’s Gang, a team of four step-siblings consisting of Ben Chapple, Chris Taylor, Kath Taylor and Helen Taylor, walked in memory of their father Chippy who received end of life care at St Barnabas House in December 2014, attending both the Day Hospice and the In-patient Unit.

Chippy would have been 72 on the weekend of last year’s South Downs Trek.

His children celebrated his birthday together on Friday night before trekking together on the Saturday to support the charity who looked after their father so well.

Chippy’s wife Sue said: “Every single person who works or volunteers at St Barnabas House was so kind and helpful to our family and we know how heavily the charity relies on fundraising to be able to help families through their very difficult times.”

Registration for this year’s South Downs Trek is £25 per person, which includes a fundraising pack, South Downs Trek t-shirt, transportation to the start of the route, lunch, refreshment stops en route, a souvenir medal and a glass of bubbly on completion of the trek.

Participants are being asked to raise a minimum sponsorship of £250.

If you are interested in taking part in this year’s trek you can call 01903 706354 for more information or register at www.stbh.org.uk/soutdownstrek.