There’s something special about the South Downs at sunrise – that mixture of coastal breeze, rolling hills and the quiet knowledge that you’re about to push your body further than it normally wants to go. On 9th August 2025, I laced up my boots at 6:30am at Marine Cliffs in Rottingdean (although missed my ride to the starting point as was waiting at the wrong hotel!), joined by dozens of other walkers, each of us fuelled by a mix of purpose, determination and nerves.
My purpose?
To complete a 26‑mile challenge to raise funds for the Memusi Foundation, a charity doing extraordinary work for children and communities in Kenya.
It wasn’t just a walk. It was a commitment, a thank‑you and a small but meaningful contribution to a cause that genuinely changes lives.
Why Memusi?
Memusi Foundation provides access to education in some of the most challenging environments in Kenya. I was kindly introduced to the charity by a client and friend of mine, who does some inspirational work for the charity. Their work builds schools, supports teachers, offers hope and opportunity, and creates pathways for children – especially girls – to progress into secondary education and even university.
Through earlier fundraising efforts, the team supporting Memusi collectively raised £10,000, enough to build and outfit one and a half new classrooms – a practical, measurable difference in the lives of young people.
Seeing the pictures of what Memusi does on the ground and hearing how deeply they value community support, made this challenge feel even more meaningful.
And that sense of meaning only deepened when we received a powerful message of gratitude from Memusi’s founder, Matthew Norton:
“It is truly inspiring to see such dedication from individuals like you who are prepared to go the distance — quite literally — to make a difference.
Every pound you raise has a direct impact on the lives of children and communities we work with in Kenya.”
Those words stayed with me every mile.
The Challenge: 26 Miles of Hills, Hills, more Hills and a lot of Heart and Laughs!
The South Downs Challenge is no gentle stroll.
- It’s long.
- It’s steep in places.
- And it’s absolutely unforgettable.
We set off after a safety
briefing from the Charity Challenge team, led by an experienced guide and supported by a brilliant team of walk leaders who knew every turn, slope and coastal gust the Downs could throw at us.
The weather was kind – sunshine, 21 degrees, breezy on the coast – but the miles were still punishing. The checkpoints became small oases of water refills, snacks, and encouragement. Every step reminded me why we were doing this: because the children and communities who benefit from Memusi’s work face far tougher challenges every single day.
By the final stretch, legs were shaky, feet were protesting and morale was being carried mostly by Haribos — but the finish line made it all worthwhile.
The Fundraising Journey
In the weeks leading up to the event, my JustGiving page became a hub of support, encouragement and generosity. Emails from JustGiving reminded me how close we were getting to the target and how powerful every donation was to Memusi’s work.
And even after the walk, the donations kept making an impact. Each week, funds were sent directly to the charity, ensuring that every supporter’s contribution immediately helped further Memusi’s mission.
The final recognition was receiving the Charity Challenge certificate acknowledging the completion of the South Downs Challenge on behalf of Memusi – a small but meaningful reminder of a big collective effort.