Big Steps for Small Feet 2024 - The South Downs Challenge

CC South Downs Challenge 4

This June, join fundraisers from Bliss & six other charities to take on an incredible coastal trek along the stunning South Downs to raise awareness of baby and child loss.

'Big Steps for Small Feet' is a chance for our charities to unite as one, in togetherness and hope, raising awareness for a cause that is close to each and every one of us. It's an opportunity to show the world that collectively we can make a difference.

This June we return to take on the incredible South Downs coastal trek starting just outside Brighton and taking you on 42km of testing, undulating terrain before finishing at Beachy Head. Once again, making Big Steps for Small Feet. We hope to give those who need it the chance to walk and talk together and unite to raise money for charities working to support bereaved families every day.

When your child dies, your whole world is shattered. You can feel alone and as if no one understands your pain. Bereaved parents, and those who have been affected by child loss, tell us they feel like they’ve lost a part of themselves and are unsure who to talk to or where to channel their feelings.

By taking on the South Downs Challenge 2024, you can change this. Join with us for Big Steps for Small Feet and together we can make a difference by raising awareness and funds for one of the following 7 charities:

Anam Casa Fasgadh, Bliss, Child Bereavement UK, Held In Our Hearts, The Lullaby Trust, Sands, Twins Trust and Tommy's.


Date:  Saturday 22nd June, 2024

Time:  8:00am

Location:  South Downs

Registration fee:  £40

Fundraising pledge:  £235

Alice Smith 1

You can take part in Big Steps for Small Feet in two ways:

Self Fund - The full cost of this challenge is £155

  • Non - refundable registration fee of £40 at time of booking
  • You pay for the cost of your space, which is £115 due nine weeks before departure (20 April 2024)
  • Your cost is covered, so 100% of your fundraising is retained by Bliss

Minimum Sponsorship

  • Non - refundable registration fee of £40 at time of booking
  • Raise a minimum of £235 for Bliss
  • At least 80% of this (£188) is required to be with Bliss (ideally via a Just Giving page) 11 weeks before departure (6 April 2024)
  • The remaining 20% (£47) is due within four weeks of completing the challenge (20 July 2024)
  • Bliss pays the balance of your trip cost (£115)

What your registration fee & tour cost includes:

  • Packed lunch and snacks for the trek
  • Fitness training advice
  • Support from experienced guides during the walk
  • Access to the Big Steps for Small Feet Facebook group
  • Support from the Bliss events team to help with your fundraising
  • A free Bliss t-shirt to wear on the day

Why take part in Big Steps for Small Feet?

This is a unique event, that a group of seven charities all part of the Baby Loss Awareness Week network in the UK have come together to organise.

By taking part you will help raise awareness of the support needed for families who have experienced baby loss. Your fundraising will help Bliss continue to provide information and support for families on neonatal units, enable research to help babies have the best chance of survival and and campaign for better bereavement care across the UK.

What other charities are taking part?

This bespoke trek has been organised by Anam Cara Fasgadh, Bliss, Held in our Hearts, The Lullaby Trust, Sands, Tommy's and Twins Trust.

Our tour operator is Charity Challenge.

Losing a child is an unimaginable pain. A time where you can feel very alone in a big world...We may not be able to stop the downpour, but we will all walk with you in the rain.

- Michael, Anam Cara Fasgadh