Be a Friend of the South Downs

If you love the South Downs, then you should join the only membership organisation dedicated to looking after them. As of this year, The Friends of the South Downs has been working to protect the area for 100 years.

The threats to the Downs may have changed over the last 100 years, but we still remain vigilant to protect the natural beauty of the area, promote access and conserve the landscape. We monitor all planning applications in the South Downs National Park to ensure that they will not damage the landscape and we fund conservation projects such as path improvement and replacement of stiles with kissing gates to improve access. We also run projects to encourage children to know and use the Park.

Our Centenary in 2023 provides a great opportunity to celebrate the Downs and includes a number of significant events and activities

• Stimulating talks

• Themed walks and strolls and a cycling festival

• Lottery funded projects to help children learn about the Downs

• A project to improve a footpath for wheelchair use.

We are the only membership organisation dedicated to protecting the South Downs. Why not join us to help with our work or to meet new people on our large programme of guided walks? friendsofthesouthdowns.org.uk

Sussex entrepreneur running to raise funds

Helping disadvantged young people succeed through sport

Entrepreneur, keen runner and Firle resident Simon Dent loves a challenge and this year he is facing possibly the ultimate runner’s challenge, racing in the 37th edition of the Marathon Des Sables - ‘The toughest foot race on earth.’ This April, Simon is running to raise funds for two charities close to his heart - Dallaglio Rugby Works and Greenhouse Sports, with sponsorship from Bol, Veloforte and Tracksmith. Both charities provide sports coaching and opportunities to children who otherwise wouldn’t have such access. ”These are two charities who I connect deeply with as they use the power of sport to support some of the UK's most disadvantaged young people and give them the life skills to equip them to succeed in society. “Both charities give young people an opportunity to participate in sports, receive mentoring and improve physical wellbeing.” Simon hopes to raise £20,000, “We are presently at £7k [Feb 2023], which is incredible but I hope that the word is starting to spread.”

Pivoting from Lawyer to Nightclub Promoter to Talent Management

Simon began his professional life as a lawyer, but after around five years of what he describes as, ”Trying to enjoy his legal career,” he realised that the law wasn’t for him. “I gave up and fell into promoting nightclubs in London; a random pivot but one that worked out very well.” It was in the VIP rooms of London clubs that Simon started to meet a lot of high profile professional rugby players and footballers. “After a year or so I became close to a number and even shared flats with a few. It wasn’t long before I was being asked to provide legal advice for them and the rest is history.” This was, he says, a time twenty years ago when agents weren’t that common, the timing couldn’t have been more perfect.

Over the past twenty years, Simon built his own management business that was acquired by Inter Talent Group, with whom Simon worked for around three years, before founding a creative agency called Dark Horses, also operating in the sports area. “Dark Horses had some phenomenal growth between 2016-2020 so I really only had time to manage Chris Kamara.” He stepped down as the agency’s MD in 2020, to launch his present agency HERO, although he remains a shareholder of Dark Horses. Over the years his clients have included Jimmy Bullard, Vinnie Jones, Martin Offiah, John Barnes and Chris Kamara, to name just a few.

Clients who are big on giving back and have regular charity commitments

When Simon describes a day at HERO, it’s easy to see why the life of a lawyer wasn’t the life for him. “At HERO my days really vary. One day I can be negotiating a Masked Singer contract for Chris Kamara, the next I could be in Cardiff with Warren Gatland, the Head Coach of Wales rugby. At the moment I would say 50 percent of my clients work is in broadcast, 25 percent in brand work and 25 percent in events. I love the variety and being a sports nut, it never really feels like work!”

Similarly, HERO has a broad range of clients, who are, Simon says, now mostly retired from professional sport. “As soon as players retire, we help manage the transition into retirement. This is very often hard for players, we aim to make the journey easier and the next chapter an exciting one. We’ll also look at brand endorsement opportunities, broadcast, podcasts and where applicable events and speaking engagements.”

“We always ensure that no stones are left unturned for our clients and developing a close relationship with all of them is key.”

When I ask if there is a common characteristic amongst his client group, Simon is in no doubt, “ I want to work with people who understand the responsibilities that they hold in having such big platforms. All of my clients are big on giving back and have regular charity commitments. The name HERO was born out of this ideology.”

Marathon Des Sables – 250 kilometres through the Moroccan Sahara over seven days

Simon tells me that he started running in 2013, “I’m not really sure why but it definitely helped with my mental health.” At that time he was running once a week on a Sunday evening, but gradually running took hold and in 2014 he ran his first marathon, in London, and raised for funds for the Chickenshed theatre company. Since then, he has run eight marathons, ten ultra marathons and numerous halves and 10ks.

“I’ve really enjoyed the training and the process and in recent years I have really got into fundraising,” and “Having raised close to £150,000 now for various charities with my running buddy Jamie

The 250 kilometres of the race is split into six stages over seven days and, in addition to the distance challenge, competitors have to face the rough Saharan terrain, endure extreme heat and including 28,000

He is, Simon believes, in a good place to tackle the challenge: “2022 was by far my biggest year as a runner as I finally conquered a sub 3 marathon and completed my first 100 miler. ‘The toughest foot race on earth’ felt like the next step. “I’ve been training for six months now … As I said earlier, I love the discipline and process so it’s not a problem.” Fortunately, Simon explains, “ I’ve got a wonderful, understanding wife who lets me train whenever I want. Without her support it just wouldn’t be possible.”

Despite feeling confident about the race, Simons admits that it is difficult to know what to expect under the Saharan sun. “it’s very difficult to train in conditions that replicate the Sahara. Essentially, we will be running six marathons in six days and carrying all of our kit. I’ve been training with a weighted back pack but I’m running on mud and roads not Saharan sand!”

Blessed to live and train on the South Downs way Simon and his family moved down to Sussex from London, two years ago and his training routes now “Either involve a loop via Alfriston, Seaford and Southease, which is around 23 miles, or the more regular route to Wilmington and back … My running has improved significantly by having such beauty on my doorstep. I’m regularly blown away by the nature and scenery.”

“The Marathon des Sables is a huge challenge but being able to compete is also a privilege. People around the world are faced with tougher tests on a daily basis which really helps me put it into perspective. Ultimately, I’m just keen to raise as much money for these two wonderful charities and the remarkable work that they do and hopefully, in the process of doing so – help myself become a better human being.”

Contact:

Follow Simon’s training on @ultraentrepreneur

To donate please visit: www.justgiving.com/ campaign/simondentsruninthesun

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