Saturday 15th July 2023
Saturday 15th July 2023
The DownsLink Challenge is back by popular demand! Take on the 17.5-mile walk along the Downs Link Pathway (which is what we're named after!) from Horsham to Shoreham-by-Sea and help us put young people experiencing homeless back on the path to independence.
What we do:
We prevent youth homelessness through accommodation, support and advice. Every night we provide a safe home to over 640 young people in your community. Each and every one has faced serious challenges in their lives. No young person chooses to be homeless.
Why take part?
Do it alone or in a group, we guarantee you'll have a great day all in aid of ending youth homelessness by helping us ensure all young people living with us or being supported by us move on positively and independently, forever.
Step out with us and together we can end youth homelessness!
Key details:
Date: Saturday 15th July 2023
From: Southwater Country Park, Horsham
To: Shoreham-by-Sea
Registration fee: £20 per person
Minimum Sponsorship: £75 per person
Event type: 17.5 mile walk, mostly flat
Once you have entered come back and set up your JustGiving page here!
What's included in the registration fee and what to expect on the day:
- 1X Free YMCA DownsLink Challenge t-shirt
- Water at aid stations, fruit and energy bars
- Medical assistance, if needed
- A clearly marked route
- Support and enthusiasm along the way
- Dedicated aid stations along the route
- A medal at the end to celebrate your achievement!
- A goodie bag
- More questions? Check out our FAQs page
Set up your YMCA DownsLink Challenge JustGiving page
Start planning fundraising ideas - to get you started we've developed a fundraising pack, full of ideas.
Can you help us reach our target?
Sign up now!
Who will benefit from the funds raised?
Thanks to people like you the funds raised from last year's YMCA DownsLink Challenge went towards supporting YMCA DownsLink Group's mission to end youth homelessness through our accommodation, support and advice projects in addition to supporting the charity so we can continue to put on events like this and raise more money all in aid of tackling the root causes of youth homelessness.
Jack's dad kicked him out when he came out as gay, could you help someone like Jack? Hear his story in the video below:
Want to take part in your own space?
We welcome supporters wanting to walk or run closer to home and in their own time, with a remote YMCA DownsLink Challenge! Below are links to some suggested walking routes across our localities, or feel free to make use of your own garden or treadmill. However you choose to take part, every step will go a long way to supporting homeless young people.
Click the links for suggested walking routes in East Sussex, West Sussex, Brighton & Hove or Guildford.
Read our stories to find out how your support makes a difference:
Amanuel’s story
Amanuel travelled to the UK from Ethiopia when he was just a teenager. He’s been living in our supported accommodation for a year and a half and with help from his Project Worker, he’s embraced everything about YMCA.
Read More
Liam’s story
After a confusing period of time, Liam was made to leave his mum’s house and ended up living in an airport for two months. Eventually, Liam was given a home in our supported accommodation and began to rebuild a stable life.
Read More
Vivian’s story
Vivian had a tough time as a teenager and faced multiple barriers which were causing a lot of upset and confusion. He came across our Youth Advice Centre and felt understood for the first time.
Read More