We will be taking on a marathon distance trek across the South Downs, starting at David Lloyd Brighton and finishing at David Lloyd Eastbourne.

The 42km route follows some of the UK’s most iconic coastal scenery, taking us across the stunning Seven Sisters and Beachy Head on our way to the finish line. It’s going to be a demanding but incredibly rewarding day, all to raise vital funds for Friends of PICU.

Friends of PICU is a registered charity that supports children and their families on the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at Southampton Children’s Hospital. They are the regional lead centre for critically ill children—from newborns up to 18 years of age—and admit over 1,000 children every year.

Their reach is massive; children are admitted from 27 referring hospitals across the South of England and the Channel Islands, covering our entire region and beyond. Through generous fundraising and donations, they are able to have a huge impact across the unit, ensuring an excellent level of specialist care.

Did you know? Each child admitted to PICU receives a very special soft elephant, given by the nursing team on behalf of all who support Friends of PICU, to help provide comfort and support during their stay.

This charity holds a very special place in the hearts of many of our team members and Matt, the General Manager of our Southampton club, knows the importance of this care firsthand. When his daughter, Ayda, was just five weeks old, she required unexpected, emergency heart surgery. During this incredibly difficult time, Matt and his family were supported immensely by the hospital, and Ayda spent five days in the PICU.

By supporting this charity, we are ensuring that other families in our community receive that same world-class care and support when they need it most.