With the wildlife and wild places that underpin our economy, climate and qualify of life facing greater pressure from human activity than ever, Surrey Wildlife Trust has a very clear mission: to increase the diversity and abundance of native wildlife across our county. As the only organisation with a county-wide focus on that goal, we are working with a huge range of businesses, public bodies, community groups and individuals to make it happen.

Our challenge is to restore Surrey’s nature and maximise climate adaptation and resilience following Lawton’s approach for a bigger, better, more joined up ecological network. We will do this both on our own land holding and by working with other landowners and managers in partnership as we strive towards a target of 30% of land connected and protected for nature by 2030. As well as being essential for the resilience of our landscapes and for the future economic security of the UK, our plans will benefit hundreds of fascinating native species, from hedgehogs and bats to butterflies, water voles and beavers.

I don't just work for Surrey Wildlife Trust, I believe in what we are doing. I see the impact, the positive results, the benefits for people and society that managing habitats, bringing communities together, sharing the knowledge that nature is vital for our survival, can bring.

So, to celebrate my 60th birthday later this year, I decided to take on a challenge. My Big Wild Walk across Surrey, 130kms (40 miles each day over two consecutive days), will help raise awareness of the beauty and variety of Surrey's landscapes and SWT's work to protect, restore and reconnect them.

My friend, Karen Depoix, kindly agreed to do the challenge with me - she is an excellent companion, a strong walker and together we motivate each other. Every stride we will take is to raise funds for Surrey's nature but when we walk, we always think of our close friend who died in September 2025, aged 53. She was an outdoor girl, our exercise buddy, ready for an adventure and always open to a challenge. Her spirit will keep us on track, even when it gets tough.

Surrey Wildlife Trust is a nature restoration charity dedicated to caring for local wildlife and wild places with the help of thousands of volunteers and members.

We manage over 60 nature reserves covering around 3% of the county. But our impact is far wider than that - we work with local organisations, communities, landowners and young people to protect and connect wildlife where they live and work.

We are part of the country's biggest movement for nature. Together, the Wildlife Trusts have more than 944,000 members, over 33,000 volunteers and manage 2,600 wild places for nature and for people.

Please support our walk - it ain't gonna be easy! We are pushing ourselves to our limits of endurance, physical and mental resilience through relentless walking for roughly 12 hours each day, on two consecutive days.