Participant Pack
Your participation helps put young people experiencing homelessness back on the path to independence.
Welcome to DownsLink Challenge 2023, thank you so much for signing up! We’re so pleased you have chosen to take part and support us in this way; together we will raise vital funds to tackle youth homelessness across the South-East.
In this pack you will find all the necessary information about the route and the all-important refreshment stops. We’ve also provided some helpful preparation tips and answers to essential FAQs, but if you have any other queries pop us an email at fundraising@ymcadlg.org.
Contents
Page 2 - Safety and signs
Page 3 - The Route
Page 7 - Preparation tips and Kit List
Page 9 - Essential FAQs
Safety and Signage
The Downs Link is a beautiful and scenic route that mostly follows an old railway line. As such the terrain is mainly flat and easy going and navigation is easy.
As it is a public bridleway, please be aware of other users including horses and cyclists, consider road safety when crossing and obviously only leave your footsteps and take all litter home with you. Share rights of way, consider the nature and wildlife and be aware of your environment.
Look out for the green and wooden signs!
The Downs Link is a public bridleway linking the North and South Downs. The entire route is well signposted, so ensure you are looking out for the green and wooden Downs Link signs as pictured below. If in doubt, the route is also marked on Google Maps:
Route outline
You can see the below route in greater detail here.
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Horsham – where it begins!
Southwater Country Park, Cripplegate Lane, Southwater, Horsham RH13 9UN. What 3 Words: ///snippets.barbarian.gradually
Your starting point will be on the field adjacent to Benns Field/Stakers Lane carpark (alongside the Downs Link) – we will have flags and banners so you can’t miss us! There are toilets and a water tap nearby. We are staggering starting times to ensure the bridleway does not get too many walkers at any one time, so look out for an email from us with yours.
Important: Please come to Benns Field/Stakers Lane car park or the overflow car park. It is 30m from the junction of Station Road and Cripplegate Lane:
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Benns Field / Stakers Lane carpark
Henfield – The main refreshment stop
The Old Railway, Upper Station Rd, Henfield BN5 9PJ
What 3 Words: ///crucially.attends.opera
This pub is right next to the Downs Link path – you can’t miss it! Our aid station is going to be in, or close to the car park between the path and the pub. There is a water tap outside the pub for filling up bottles and toilet facilities inside. If you fancy a quick half pint – this is the place to enjoy it!
BEWARE – THIS IS NOT A HALFWAY POINT! You will still have 9 miles to walk so don’t let those muscles get stiff… stay loose, and don’t stop for too long!
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Downs Link path
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Optional
Pit Stop - Bramber
Emergency Comfort Stop if needed!
What 3 Words: ///shine.drip.couriers
As you walk down with Bramber Castle on your left, you should see our pitstop crew on the roundabout.
If you need a toiletBramber car park and public toilet is a slight detour (4 minutes each way), situated in the centre of ‘The Street’ (as indicated by the red marker).
Shoreham – your finishing line
Adur Recreation Ground, Brighton Rd, Shoreham-by-Sea BN43 5LT
What 3 Words: ///warned.ecologist.gone
The Adur Recreation Ground is the other side of the river from where you finish the Downs Link path – where we will have a friendly face waiting to direct over the pedestrian bridge and to your final destination. There is also a big car park and public toilets nearby. Join us here for a celebration and refreshments!
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The end of the Downs Link
Preparation tips ahead of the
day
Completing 17 miles is no mean feat, so to give yourself the best chance of success, we’ve put together some handy training tips:
▶ Put your best foot forward – ensure your shoes are the right size and ideally have ankle support if you’re walking
▶ Practice makes perfect – challenge yourself to walk or run a bit further every day, starting with a mile and working your way up to 10+ (bonus tip – practice in the shoes you’ll be wearing on the day!)
▶ Carbs = energy! Make sure you’re eating a good mix of carbohydrates before a long training session to keep your energy up
▶ Stretch for success – to help prevent injury, make sure to stretch your muscles before and after exercise
▶ Mix it up – vary the route you train on to get a feel for different terrains and invite friends or family along to join you for support
Suggested Kit List
▶ Comfortable walking shoes (make sure they’re broken in to avoid blisters!)
▶ A small backpack
▶ A water bottle or hydration bladder (reusable is best! You can refill it on the route)
▶ Suncream, a hat and sunglasses
▶ Rain jacket
▶ Hand sanitiser
▶ Any medication you need
▶ Snacks
▶ A mobile phone (remember to charge it the night before!)
Emergency number
Please save this number onto the phone you will have with you onthe-day and remember to charge it the night before the event! This number is in case you need to get hold of us (the event organisers) along the route – we have a mobile medical unit on standby
Emergency contact details Sam (YMCA DLG): 07741 324409
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Click to watch 8
a minute to hear from some of those we have supported to make positive change in their lives
Take
YMCA DownsLink Challenge FAQ’s
How long is the route?
This is an interesting question as it is hard to say exactly! Google tells you it is about 16 miles however we know from experience it is longer, so plan for 16.5 – 17.5 miles. Take a look and see what you think! Some might smash the walk in 4 ¾ hours but for most it will take 5 or 5 ½ hours depending on length of stops.
Is there a registration fee?
There is a £20 entry fee for those taking part. Your registration fee goes toward the cost of putting on the event. The reg fee also goes toward the cost of your finisher’s medal and YMCA DownsLink Group branded t-shirt. We hope you wear them both regularly after the event!!!
Can we use this as a company team builder / charity day?
Absolutely. Some businesses are looking to use this as an opportunity to bring clients, partners, suppliers, and colleagues to make a day of it. We obviously appreciate all support. We have been suggesting teams of 6 to enter.
As a business can we promote our product or service on the day?
Absolutely. Some businesses are looking to use this as an opportunity to bring clients, partners, suppliers, and colleagues to make a day of it. We obviously appreciate all support. We have been suggesting teams of 8-10 to enter. As a business can we promote our product or service on the day? Sure. We have several sponsorship opportunities and whether you want to put your branding on our charity flags, t-shirts, provide something for people to take home with them, or sponsor the refreshments - there are several ways you can promote your business – just contact me to discuss how we can make it work for your business, email fundraisng@ymcadlg.org
Are dogs allowed on the route?
Dogs are welcome, but please remember we are on a bridleway so keep them under control and in sight. Some parts of the route pass through farmland so please ensure they are well behaved and pick up after them.
Is there a minimum age for taking part in the YMCA DownsLink Challenge?
You know the ability of your children however we have planned and risk assessed the event for adults. Children (aged 11-17) can take part if they are accompanied by a responsible adult.
I’d feel more comfortable if I knew where the toilets were!
Totally understand the importance of this! Hopefully the information in this pack has outlined where the toilet stops are. Do remember to keep hydrated!
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When will I next hear from you?
The best way to stay in contact with us is via the Facebook group. Once you sign up, you will receive an invite to join this. Here, there will be useful posts about exercise, walking, running, and fundraising. You’ll also receive emails from us leading up to your challenge, and messages from young people who have benefitted from our services. We will ensure you have all the information you need in good time.
What is JustGiving and why do you use it?
JustGiving is an online fundraising platform to help you manage your sponsorship. Once you’ve signed up for YMCA DownsLink Challenge you’ll be prompted to create a fundraising page by logging into your existing JustGiving account or creating an account. You can customise it in many different ways – and this is what makes your page engaging! Just Giving provide us with notifications of your progress and helps us ensure everyone gets the support they need. Just Giving have created QR codes and handy links to ensure it is easy to share on your social channels and to your networks.
How will YMCA DownsLink Group spend the funds I raise?
Every penny you raise will go towards supporting vulnerable young people find safe and secure housing and learn the tools needed to live independently. Our projects need funding every year and we rely on your donations to continue supporting homeless young people. Here are some examples of how your funds transform young lives:
£10 could contribut towards an accommodation ‘Welcome Kit’ given to a young person
£25 could provide emergency supplies for a young person removed from an abusive home
£50 could facilitate emergency family mediation
£75 could help a young person get onto a young training scheme to acquire work skills
£125 could train new staff in spotting signs of self-harm
£275 could provide 6 trauma support sessions for sexually exploited young people
£500 could help us fund ‘Passport to Independence’ – our programme to help young people become independent and make their way in the world when they leave us
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What about Gift Aid?
Gift Aid is a tax relief allowing UK charities to reclaim an extra 25% in tax on every eligible donation made by a UK taxpayer, so we can claim an additional 25p on your £1 donation. If you are donating by cheque or cash, please get in touch with us.
What happens if I don’t achieve my fundraising target?
Our fundraising forecasts are based on our events being successful. If we are not successful in achieving our forecasts, we simply cannot achieve what we set out to do. With Covid increasing demand by 61% and inflation impacting everything we facilitate; these funds are more important than ever if we wish to make positive change in the lives of young people. I am here to help you if you get stuck so please just call me!
I can’t take part anymore – what should I do?
If you can no longer take part in the physical event, please let us know.
Is your question not answered here? Drop us an email at fundraising@ymcadlg.org and we’ll come back to you as soon as we can.
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Thank you and good luck! #YMCADownsLinkChallenge www.ymcadlg.org
