Walkers take on the South Downs Way to raise funds

The South Downs Way PLOD began just before midnight on Saturday July 16 with teams of walkers departing from Devil’s Dyke to navigate a 40-mile route through the darkness and on through dawn and the following day to reach the finish line on Beachy Head outside Eastbourne.

As well as testing stamina this tough event, teams need their wits about them as they use teamwork, strategy and intelligence to gain bonus points for completing additional challenges along the way.

“It is a charity walk but people shouldn’t be fooled by that – it’s a really tough event which tests participants in so many ways but it’s also great fun and very rewarding,” said Alice Lisher, community fundraiser for Action Medical Research who organises the event.

“A number of teams had returned this year to beat their previous times, including the winners on the full route from Brighton Honda, while ALC Health in Steyning took the trophy for the 20-mile PLOD Lite version.

“This year we welcomed solo walkers for the first time so well done to David Hurrion and Sarah Cuttle who were our joint winners in that category.”

Walkers have so far raised £48,000 to help save and change the lives of sick and disabled babies and children.

For more than 60 years Action Medical Research has helped pioneer treatments and ways to prevent disease that have benefited millions of people in the UK and across the world.

Research they’ve funded has helped to beat polio in the UK, develop ultrasound in pregnancy, fight meningitis and prevent stillbirths.

The Horsham-based charity is currently funding research into meningitis, Down syndrome, epilepsy and premature birth, as well as some rare and distressing conditions that severely affect children.

To find out more about the South Downs Way PLOD and sign up for next year’s event, please visit action.org.uk/plod-south-downs-way