I'm taking on Hike4Homes 2026 with my mate Lewis, walking from Eastbourne to Lewes across the South Downs in support of Zetetick Housing.

On paper it sounds lovely. Rolling hills, fresh air, beautiful views. In reality it'll mostly be several hours of questioning our life choices while pretending we definitely meant to walk up another hill. No hiking sticks, only desert boots and sandwiches.

We're doing it because everyone deserves a safe place to call home.

Zetetick Housing provides homes for adults with learning disabilities, autism, mental health needs and other vulnerabilities, giving people the security, independence and stability that many of us take for granted.

A home is far more than four walls. It's somewhere to feel safe, build a life and be part of a community.

As someone who's spent a lot of time working on homes, I've seen how much difference having a decent place to live can make. Supporting an organisation that helps people have that opportunity felt like a pretty easy decision. Walking all those miles afterwards was the bit I hadn't fully thought through.

If you can spare anything at all, we'd both really appreciate it. Every donation helps Zetetick continue providing safe, secure homes for people who need them most.

Thank you for supporting us, and for helping make the inevitable blisters feel slightly more worthwhile.