Let’s get walking! Every May, we celebrate National Walking Month in the UK. For most people, walking—or rolling—is an easy and enjoyable way to improve our health and wellbeing. Walking not only contributes to better heart health but also boosts our mood and energy, reduces stress, and connects us to our surroundings to help us feel less isolated. And it doesn’t have to take hours—the NHS recommends just a brisk ten-minute walk every day.
Walking is also a free activity. During National Walking Month, we can turn our heart-healthy, feel-good walks into fundraising opportunities for the causes we care about. This May, when you strap on your trainers and head outside, why not join or organise a walk to benefit a charity of your choice.
Here, we look at five special treks, hikes, and walks you can get involved with during National Walking Month, and beyond.
London to Brighton Challenge: A Stunning Capital to Coast Route
Date: Saturday 25 May to Sunday 26 May, 2024
Distance: Walk, jog, or run 25K, 50K, 75K, or 100K
Charity: Young Lives vs Cancer
The London to Brighton Challenge offers an “iconic route” from the heart of London to the scenic south coast city of Brighton. You can make it as challenging as you wish by walking or running 25K or the “full challenge” of 100K. You can even opt for the “Full Daylight” challenge in which you walk or run 100K over two days with a halfway camping or B&B option.
When you join the London to Brighton Challenge, you’ll support Young Lives vs Cancer to help children and young people with cancer get the right support at the right time. In return, you’ll receive a special t-shirt, an online event hub with training plans and fundraising tools, and free advice from a chartered physiotherapist. Can’t make it? Check the charity’s website for several other challenges this summer, from cycles to skydives to overseas challenges.
Jurassic Coast Challenge: For the Endurance Enthusiast
Date: Saturday 18 May to Sunday 19 May, 2024
Distance: Walk, jog, or run from 10K to 100K (with a lot of ups and downs)
Charity: Hosted by the Ultra Challenge Series, you choose the charity!
If you’re up for a challenge, why not make it an UNESCO World Heritage Site Challenge! The Jurassic Coast Challenge takes you along the southern coast of England, from Corfe Castle past coves, beaches, and towns with a finish celebration in vibrant Bridport. The full endurance event is 100K, but you can opt for 16 other distances, from 10K to 76K.
When you join, you’ll receive a medal, finisher’s t-shirt, food and drink, and plenty of rest stops and medical and massage teams along the way. You can run for yourself and pay for the event in full with no fundraising required, but why do that? Instead, select a charity of your choice and fundraise while you train. Consider walking or running for the British Heart Foundation to support “a world without heartbreak”. The charity funds £100 million of research each year into all heart and circulatory diseases. When you join #TeamBHF, you’ll also get a special BHF running top or vest and all the support you need to raise money and cross the finish line.
Trek26: If you need more time to train!
Date: May to August, 2024
Distance: 13 or 26 miles
Charity: The Alzheimer’s Society
Need a bit more time to train for your challenge? Consider Trek26 from the Alzheimer’s Society. You’ll take on a 13 or 26 mile trek in one of 10 breath-taking locations across the UK. You can select a trek based on the level, from moderate to “very tough”. The challenges take place from May to August, giving you more time to train—and to fundraise!
When you join Trek26, you’ll support the Alzheimer’s Society’s vision for a world where dementia no longer devastates lives. You can also opt for a different type of challenge altogether and volunteer at a Trek26 event. You might provide a cup of tea to a runner at a rest stop, encourage walkers along the route, or cheer racers on at the finish line. As a volunteer, you get all the same goodies as a racer, including a medal, t-shirt, and snacks and drinks. The charity will even reimburse travel expenses for volunteers!
The Big Hike: For Big Views
Date: May to July, 2024
Distance: Half and full marathon hikes
Charity: Cancer Research UK
If you prefer hiking in spectacular scenery versus running, consider the Big Hike from Cancer Research UK. You can choose a half or full marathon in six stunning locations, from the exquisite landscapes of the Trossachs National Park to the rolling hills and picturesque villages of the Cotswolds.
When you participate in the Big Hike, you’ll help Cancer Research UK “beat cancer sooner”. The charity funds scientists, doctors, and nurses and works at a policy level to share evidence related to cancer research. In gratitude for your fundraising, you’ll receive a special Big Hike medal and t-shirt, training plans, and your own online giving page. As with Trek26, you can also contribute to Cancer Research UK by volunteering at a Big Hike of your choice—maybe even more than one!
Walk Your Way: Plan your Own Special Route
Date: Any date you choose!
Distance: Any distance and activity you choose, from a marathon to a bake sale
Charity: Macmillan Cancer Support
With Macmillan’s Walk your Way challenge, you have “the whole of the UK’s incredible walking network at your fingertips.” In fact, the hardest part of the challenge may be choosing your own route. For inspiration, try searching for walks on National Trails, All Trails, or look for recommendations from The Guardian and other outlets. To Walk your Way, just pick a date, gather your team, register your challenge with Macmillan, set up your fundraising page, and off you go!
When you register, you’ll be supporting Macmillan’s mission to do whatever it takes to support people living with cancer. In 2020, more than 1,000 people organised walks and raised over £460,000, which could pay for seven Macmillan nurses for an entire year. If walking isn’t your thing, no sweat. You can organise a unique challenge of your choice, from charity crafting to a bake sale.
We hope this post inspires you to get out and about during National Walking Month. Whether you walk, hike, run, or volunteer, there’s no shortage of challenges available to you. Not only will you raise critical funds, you’ll also reap the physical and mental benefits of joining others outside for a bit of physical activity.
At Rocket Charities, we’re honoured to work with a lot of great charities to produce special branded merchandise for participants and volunteers, including some of the above challenges! We’d love to hear how you’re planning to put your trainers—and your time—to work for these meaningful charities. Please get in touch with us today!