Palace to Pier: 67 Miles. 180,000 Steps. Lewes Director David takes on an Epic Mission for Esteem
As a group of middle aged guys from Sussex, you might not expect them to be walking nearly 70 miles in two days. But when the cause is right, and the company is good, anything is possible!
Lewes Director David is no stranger to extreme challenges, but even he was more than a little daunted as he and a group of friends found themselves standing outside Buckingham Palace at 6am one Saturday morning, trainers laced, backpacks loaded, energy bars stashed and 67 miles of tarmac, trail and Sussex hill climbs between them and the finish line at Brighton’s Palace Pier.
Why They Did It
Last year, the team tackled the grueling National 3 Peaks Challenge, summiting Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon in under 30 hours, raising over £6,800 for the mental health charity MIND. Earlier this year David and Brighton Director Andy took on the Run to The Sea Ultra marathon raising over £2,000 for Esteem.
The latest challenge? London to Brighton on foot. Not a race, but a test of endurance, mental, physical and emotional strength to raise funds for the brilliant Sussex-based charity ESTEEM.
When David first visited ESTEEM’s HQ, The Old School House in Shoreham he commented "I was blown away. It’s a warm, welcoming space giving real world support to young people aged 14–26 offering mentoring, confidence-building, skills training, and above all, belonging. Now, with their home under threat ESTEEM needs to raise funds to secure its future. We knew we had to do something."
The Walk
The journey was unforgettable! The team set off early from Brighton by train and began the walk at Buckingham Palace. Over the next 39 hours, they crossed London, Surrey and into the rolling hills of Sussex, battling aching legs, sore feet, and a frankly, an unreasonable number of hills. The South Downs didn’t feel very down, especially after 28 miles on day two! There were dark moments, dodgy energy gels, aggressive blisters, and one particularly questionable service station sandwich, but the camaraderie carried them through.
What It Gave Them
More than sore feet, this challenge gave David and the team:
Time to reflect on the young people ESTEEM supports, and how much good the charity does.
A sense of calm and focus, found through the simplicity of walking.
Deep appreciation for the landscape we call home, from the buzz of London to the peace of the Surrey Hills and Sussex Downs.
And an unforgettable moment, standing on top of Ditchling Beacon with 60 miles behind us, sea air ahead, and the realisation that we’d walked further than we could see.
They Made It!
Palace to Pier: ✅ Completed.
67 Miles. 180,000 steps. 2 days. And every step worth it.
So far the team have raised an incredible £2,389 and counting, the JustGiving page is still live, and they would love your support. Every pound goes directly to ESTEEM and their mission to keep the organisation open for the next generation.
👉 Donate here Thanks to everyone who supported David and The team. And to anyone out there thinking of taking on a challenge for a cause you believe in, do it. You'll be amazed what you're capable of.
