Walking Together for a Brighter Future
- Kelly Lewis
- Sep 8
- 2 min read
Haywards Heath came alive on Saturday, 6th September, as the Dame Vera Lynn Children’s Charity (DVLCC) hosted its annual Walk Together event – a day filled with sunshine, smiles, and incredible community spirit.
With more than 100 enthusiastic participants taking part, the day was a huge success, raising an impressive total of £18,600 to support children with cerebral palsy and other motor learning impairments.
Two Routes, One Goal
Starting from the beautiful Victoria Park, participants had the choice of two scenic routes designed to suit different abilities:
5K Accessible Walk – A family-friendly route, perfect for pushchairs and wheelchair users, weaving through Ashenground Woods and Bolnore Village.
15K Mixed-Terrain Trek – A more challenging adventure for keen walkers, taking in the same initial paths before continuing onto Bluntswood, Cuckfield, and Beech Hurst.
Both routes showcased some of the area’s most picturesque landscapes, creating a truly memorable experience for all involved.
A Special Start to the Day
This year, the Dame Vera Lynn Children’s Charity is proud to be the Town Mayor’s chosen charity of the year. To mark the occasion, Mayor Cllr Duncan Pascoe opened the walk with a short, uplifting speech that set the tone for the day and got everyone into the spirit. He was followed by Richard Johnson, father of one of the children supported by the charity, who shared some heartfelt words about the life-changing impact the charity has had on his family. There were few dry eyes as the walkers set off, inspired and motivated to make a difference.
Walking to Change Lives
The Dame Vera Lynn Children’s Charity provides life-changing services for children and families completely free of charge, yet receives no government funding. Each year, the charity must raise £600,000 to continue its vital work.
While there was no fundraising minimum, participants were encouraged to aim for £125 – the cost of one essential physiotherapy session. Every pound raised helps children take their very first steps, turning what once seemed impossible into reality.
Community Leaders Step Up
The event was proudly supported by local dignitaries:
The Mayor of Haywards Heath, Cllr Duncan Pascoe, helped to lead the 15K route alongside Glenys Creese, CEO of the Dame Vera Lynn Children’s Charity.
The Deputy Mayor, Cllr Abdul Bashar, joined the 5K route and praised the day’s success, saying: “What an experience and wonderfully organised, which I will remember for many years to come. Many thanks to the organisers, volunteers, and everyone who took part.”
Thank You for Walking With Us
We would like to say well done to the dedicated volunteers and marshals to the determined walkers and generous donors, and thank you for making this year’s Walk Together such a success. Your support helps give children the best possible start in life.
If you couldn’t join us this year but would like to get involved, there’s still time to donate and make a difference. Every step truly counts.
