50K for Mental Health UK |

50K for Mental Health UK

  • Overview
  • Map & Itinerary
  • Essential Info
  • Pics & Vids
  • Dates & Prices

BOOKINGS CLOSED AS EVENT IS NOW FULL.

Highlights

  • Hike 50kms along the incredible Jurassic Coast, England’s first UNESCO designated natural World Heritage Site
  • Pass Durdle Door, one of the Jurassic Coast’s most iconic landscapes with it’s natural limestone arch 
  • Witness the remarkable scenery of shipwrecks, Iron Age forts, WWII bunkers and impressive geological formations 
  • Fully supported trekking adventure on the south coast of England
  • Be part of this epic 50K series for Mental Health UK and support people affected by mental health problems including friends, family and carers
  • Make your 2022 one to remember with this epic long distance trek on home-ground.

 

Overview of Your May 50K Trek for Mental Health UK

Starting in the coastal town of Swanage, the perfect base for the start of your 50K for Mental Health UK trek of the Jurassic Coast, your journey by foot along this World Heritage Site will reward you with views of sea-carved bays, crumbly cliffs and beaches scattered with fossils. Passing impressive and renowned sites such as Lulworth Cove, the spectacular natural limestone arch of Durdle Door and the Osmington White Horse. Accompanied by friendly trekking guides, your route will also venture inland in sections where the landscape serves up vast Iron Age hill forts, chalk figures, fairy-tale castles and incredible stately homes. On reaching the seaside town of Weymouth  with it’s sandy beach  dotted with colorful beach huts and backed by Georgian houses, this will mark the finish of your epic one day trek. One night’s accommodation, breakfast, lunch and snack-points will be provided.

Deposit: £75 per person. Payable upon booking.

Minimum sponsorship: £450 per person. Please send all sponsorship money directly to Mental Health UK.

Jurassic Coast, Dorset

Amazingly varied and unspoilt, Dorset’s award-winning Jurassic Coast offers 95 miles of idyllic sandy beaches framed by ancient craggy cliffs and meadows carpeted with seasonal wildflowers. The Jurassic Coast gained UNESCO recognition as England’s first Natural World Heritage Site charting 185 million years of the earth’s history, with rocks and fossils dating to Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous times. This stunning landscape provides the ultimate backdrop for you to conquer 50K in one day!

Day 1 - Evening

Trek preparation and overnight accommodation 

Arrival in Swanage, the most easterly town on the Jurassic Coast and check in to your hotel – Premier Inn Gateway Business Park Weymouth. That evening you will receive a full event briefing at 19:00 from your Adventurous Ewe Team to ensure you are well prepared for the following day’s challenge. You are welcome to ask any questions about the event during this session and we strongly recommend that you pack your main bag and day-pack including the filling of your water bottles in readiness for the following day.

Dinner to follow at your own expense.

Accommodation: Weymouth
Car parking: Free on-site parking is available at this hotel
Nearest train station: Weymouth train station
Meals: Dinner is not included. Please make your own dinner reservations. 

Day 2

Your 50km trekking adventure begins

With a big adventure ahead, it’s time to rise & shine early. There’s a coach transfer from Weymouth to Swanage for the start of your epic trek @ £10. 

THE 50KM TREK

Your journey by foot will be in teams starting in waves accompanied by your friendly Adventurous Ewe Mountain Leader. Leaving the shores of Swanage your route will take you inland towards the iconic Corfe Castle. The castle is a fortification standing above the village of the same name on the Isle of Purbeck. Built by William the Conqueror, Corfe Castle dates to the 11th century and commands a gap in the Purbeck Hills and is where you will be greeted with your first checkpoint.

After a quick stop for some snacks and refiling of your water bottles, you will head south from Corfe and make your way back to the coastline. Tackling the rolling hills with continuous ascents and descents as you reach the spectacular Jurassic Coast, England’s first natural World Heritage Site, encompassing 185 million years of the Earth’s history. Your tiring legs will be distracted by the incredible and changing views of fossil-rich, dark-clay Jurassic cliffs, pockets of much younger, creamy-coloured Cretaceous rocks and the vast shoreline of the English Channel. There’s great levels of contentment knowing you can walk many millions of years in geological time in just 50K.

On reaching Kimmeridge Bay, it’s time for a quick break to pick up your packed lunch and it’s also the perfect chance to make use of the toilet facilities available. This stunning area features some of the most important geology anywhere on the Jurassic Coast. It also boasts some of the area’s most accessible marine wildlife. It’s then time to start heading back uphill again and pass the Clavell Tower, a Grade II listed Tuscan style tower built in 1830.

Having a break from the coastal cliffs, you will trek the undulating green hills before reaching the clear blue waters and beautiful white pebble beach of Lulworth Cove. The charismatic hamlet of Lulworth Cove is a picturesque jumble of thatched cottages and fishing gear.

Further along you will then spot one of Dorset’s most photographed and iconic landmarks, Durdle Door, an impressive natural limestone arch. This immense, sea-fringed, 150-million-year-old Portland stone arch was created by a combination of massive earth movements and erosion which is framed by shimmering bays.

There will be another checkpoint near Durdle Door allowing you to restock on snacks and refill your water bottles.

Finally passing through coastal hamlet of Osmington Mills soon to follow will be the magnificent views of Weymouth Bay marking the finish of your epic 50K trek. This view will act as a magnet and draw you to the sandy shores of Weymouth filled with a huge sense of achievement and pride in completing this amazing one day challenge in support of Mental Health UK.

Celebratory drinks and pizza will be provided at the finish so you can mark your achievement with your fellow team-mates.

Pre-trek info

On booking your place on the 50K for Mental Health UK, you’ll receive all the exciting trip info via our free online travel platform. 

You’ll have access to your itinerary, trip countdown, live updates, contact info, weather forecasts, know before you go trip info, kit lists and much more at the touch of a button 24 hours a day via your mobile phone. No more unnecessary use of reams of paper to benefit the environment and the need of carrying around documents with you. 

Pre-trek support

Mental Health UK

Once you’ve registered the friendly fundraising team at Mental Health UK will be in touch to support you on your fundraising journey. You can expect:

  • Free fundraising toolkit with tips and ideas to push you to the finish line
  • Branded merchandise to help you with your fundraising
  • Mental Health UK t-shirt so you can proudly represent us at your event
  • Regular email updates with all the information you’ll need
  • A friendly team to support you all the way

For more info, simply click here or email: Events@mentalhealth-uk.org

Adventurous Ewe

With being a small family business we pride ourselves with providing personal, professional and friendly service. We appreciate that everyone has different levels of experience and reasons for wishing to embark on the 50K for Mental Health UK and therefore require varying levels of support and guidance. We’re here to help you every step of the way from the moment you join the flock all the way through to completing the challenge and beyond. Jim and Sue’s knowledge and expertise stems from dozens of years of travelling and exploring the UK in order to fully support you in the lead up to your 50K trek.

Start, Finish & Transfers

Start – Swanage War Memorial

The trek will start in Swanage in Dorset marking the beginning of the Jurassic Coast and the starting point will be the War Memorial located near The Banjo Pier. There is a train service available to Wareham where you can then take the No. 40 Purbeck Breezer bus to Swanage which is an hourly service. The hotel accommodation included in this event is located near the finishing point in Weymouth. 

Transfer to the start

Therefore, we will provide a transfer service available from Weymouth to Swanage at a cost of £10 per person which must be booked in advance with Adventurous Ewe. Please note, this transfer takes approximately 1 hour. For reservations, please email susan@adventurousewe.co.uk. Payment can be made via card, via our event online event platform or BACS transfer.

Finish – near Weymouth Beach 

The trek finishes in Weymouth along the beach front. Celebratory refreshments and pizza will be served. From there you are welcome to make your way home if you live locally or organise your own accommodation to stay the night following your challenge. 

Safety and Well-being

Adventurous Ewe puts the safety and well-being of you, our leaders & crew and the communities we visit is at the centre of all our operations, always. Your safety and well-being is our top priority.

The 50K for Mental Health UK requires individual preparation as this trekking challenge is designed to take you out of your every-day comfort zone and achieve something amazing. Rest assured we have a thorough Safety Management System, indepth risk assessments and risk management systems in place together with new health and well-being procedures.

For more info, please visit our Safety and Well-being page. 

Adventurous Ewe Leaders and Crew

You will be accompanied by certified Adventurous Ewe Leaders and Crew. Our Leaders are first aid qualified and have extensive experience in leading expeditions throughout the UK. They will be ultimately responsible for the running of the itinerary and the safety of your group. Leaders and Crew will carrying full safety equipment and mountain first aid kits with them at all times. Please note, these kits are for emergencies only so please come prepared with your own personal first aid items. The Leaders and Crew will also be in constant radio communication with the support vehicles throughout your trekking challenge.

Group size

We pride ourselves in small group travel to minimise the impact on the environment, to maximise your safety and well-being and to make your experience more authentic.

The minimum group size for the 50K Trek to run is 12 people and the maximum group size is 50 people. You will be taking part in pre-allocated teams of no more than 10 trekkers per team and you’ll be accompanied by a Leader for the duration of the trek. 

You are most welcome to join this fundraising trek as a group of friends, family, colleagues, a private bubble or as a solo traveller. All funds raised will go to the vital work of Mental Health UK.

 

Group management

The 50K trek is a team event and not designed to be an individual competitive race. You will be taking part in teams of up to 10 people with a dedicated Leader. We encourage team spirit and support of each other to ensure everyone has the best opportunity to complete the challenge and enjoy the journey along the way too.

We ask all participants to have foster these 4 attributes:

  1. Sense of adventure – you’ve signed up to an epic trek, so you’re sense of adventure is off to a great start. Put in the hard work with training and preparation, so you can enjoy your adventure ahead.
  2. Sense of teamwork – it’s not a race. You’re all in this together so look out for one another and help each other along the way.
  3. Sense of humour – there will be things you’re not used to, and things may go wrong, so try not to let it overshadow your trek and maintain a sense of humour. It always adds to the story.
  4. Sense of perspective – remember why you are doing the challenge, the experience that you are fortunate to have and the difference you are making to Mental Health UK with your fundraising and awareness generation. Mental Health UK supports people affected by mental health problems including friends, family and carers.

 

Trek grading

The 50K trek is graded as a ‘Tough’ challenge given you will be trekking along the undulating coastline of the Jurassic Coast. There are some steep ascents and descents on uneven terrain plus covering 50km in distance makes for a tough one-day challenge. Weather conditions can be a major influence on this trek as well giving it’s coastal location, strong sea breezes can be a factor. However, training, preparation, quality kit and a good dose of gritty determination & endurance will see you get the most enjoyment and reward from this event. 

 

Training

A bespoke trek training programme will be provided when join the team for this 50km trekking adventure to help you with your preparations.

We also have exclusive offers with our Training Partners and Communities – Her Spirit and the Bath Kettlebell Society. For more info, please visit our Training and Preparation page.

The more you are prepared, the more you will enjoy the challenge.

Our motto is: Train hard, smile harder and enjoy the journey!

Kit

A full kit list will be provided when you join this trek. Good kit can make the difference between a fantastic adventure and an uncomfortable one. Well worn in waterproof hiking boots are essential together with a good quality waterproof jacket AND trousers.

An exclusive Adventurous Ewe discount code will be provided for the independent outdoor retailers Joe Brown, The Climbers Shop and ashmei athletic apparel on registering for the May 50K.

Exclusive Kit Discount Codes

To help you get the very best from your 50K for Mental Health UK, we will provide you with an exclusive Adventurous Ewe discount code to use in independent UK outdoor retailers Joe Brown / The Climbers Shop and ashmei sustainable performance apparel, both online and in store. They offer a large choice of kit that the staff themselves use while climbing, hiking, mountaineering, running, travelling or enjoying expeditions across the globe and they pride themselves on sharing their experience and knowledge of equipment so you can choose the right gear to suit you and this long distance trek.

Weather

The weather along the Jurassic Coast can change rapidly so it is essential that you are prepared for all conditions including rain, wind, heat and cold. In the week leading up to your trip we recommend checking the Met Office Forecast. You will also receive weather updates via our free mobile travel app.

Please note, the Leader/s reserve the right to change the itinerary at any time should the conditions require it as your safety and well-being is our top priority at all times. In these circumstances we will make the best alternative arrangements possible that maintain the integrity of the original itinerary.

Accommodation

Twin share hotel accommodation the night prior to the challenge is included in your package. If you wish to have your own room, please let us know on booking so we can make the necessary arrangements. There is a single room supplement cost of £55 per person per room. There is free onsite car parking available.

Accommodation the night following the completion of your trek is not included with this event giving you the option to either return home (if you live nearby) or stay where you would like and according to your budget.

Please note, if you do not live locally, we strongly recommend that you organise accommodation in Weymouth for the Saturday evening following your trek given that this is a long day of physical activity. We strongly advise against driving home following the completion of this challenge. 

Please find below a selection of accommodation places for your consideration for Saturday evening:

Premier Inn Weymouth 

Weymouth Hotels | Book Cheap Hotels in Weymouth | Premier Inn

The Bay Royal Hotel

https://www.bayhotels.co.uk/our-hotels/bay-royal-weymouth-hotel

B&B Weymouth

https://www.bb-weymouth.com/

BHP Budget Accommodation

https://www.bunkhouseplus.co.uk/

Food & drinks

Day 1 – arrival and briefing

Dinner is not provided on Friday evening. We recommend you make a dinner reservation following the trek briefing at the hotel. There is a Brewers Fayre restaurant located next to the hotel. Dinner is at your own expense allowing you to have the meal of your choice prior to the trek.

Day 2 – trek

During the trek there will be snack stops along the route together with a lunch stop where you can take a break and refuel with some delicious snacks, packed lunch and water. The packed lunch will be local produce in order to support the local community. We do ask you to bring your own water bottles and flasks to refill in order to help keep the amount of plastic waste on this trek to an absolute minimum. Plus given it’s a long-distance trek, we recommend bringing some of our own favourite high calorie snacks, both sweet & savoury, to help you on your journey. Please remove as much packaging as you can prior to the trek and take any litter with you and dispose of appropriately. 

We can accommodate your dietary requirements however please let us know in advance of any particular needs or allergies so we can ensure there is sufficient food and drink for you.

Sponsorship info

Deposit: £75 per person. Payment required on booking and non-refundable.

Sponsorship pledge: £450 per person for Mental Health UK. This money is to be sent directly to Mental Health UK. 80% of your sponsorship (£360) must be received by Mental Health UK no later than 5 weeks prior to the event date. The remaining 20% (£90) must be received by Mental Health UK no later than 4 weeks after the event date. 

Mental Health UK will provide you with fundraising support and guidance.

For full T&C’s visit here

Book and Travel with Confidence

As well as carefully crafting amazing and meaningful adventures across the planet, we’ve made booking them as flexible, safe and as simple as possible. With the ongoing impact of COVID-19, we’ve made a number of updates to our safety guidelines, flexible booking conditions and trip departures. For more info, please our Book and Travel with Confidence page. 

Departure & Return Duration Availability Deposit Total Cost* (*Total cost includes the deposit)

What's Included?

Pre-trek:

  • Support from the experienced AE team
  • All event info at your fingertips through our free moblie travel platform
  • 50km trek training programme
  • Discount codes for clothing and equipment from ashmei, Joe Brown and The Climber’s Shop outdoor retailers. Both online and in store
  • May 50K info document with all you need to know in preparation for your trek
  • All risk assessments and safety management planning
  • Public liability insurance
  • Fundraising support from Mental Health UK and T-shirt

On your trek

  • Accommodation the evening prior to the challenge located near the finish point (twin room share basis) with car-parking
  • Accompanied by friendly certified trekking guides
  • Snack stops with supportive crew and refreshments
  • Breakfast and lunch
  • Support vehicle available at certain points along the trek
  • Celebratory drinks and pizza at the finish

What's Not Included?

  • Transfer from accommodation to starting point in Swanage @ £10 per person (must be booked in advance)
  • Single room supplement @ £50 per person per night
  • Accommodation the night after your trek. Nearby hotel, hostel and campsite recommendations will be provided
  • Clothing and equipment on your Kit List
  • Personal spending money
  • Any costs incurred with leaving the trek early ie. changes to travel arrangements, accommodation, etc.

Sustainable and Responsible Trek Management

Adventurous Ewe is committed to delivering events in a responsible and ethical manner and with sustainable development at its core. We respect and aim to operate our adventures and events to benefit local people, their economy and the environment!

Some of the responsible tourism features embedded in the 50K for Mental Health UK are:

  • We only operate with small groups which have less impact on local communities and the environment and give you a more authentic experience
  • Using local crew who are qualified leaders and extremely experienced, passionate and knowledgeable
  • We do not use any single use plastic and refill water bottles and flasks to avoid the need to purchase bottled water
  • We stay in locally owned accommodation wherever possible
  • The lunches and checkpoint snacks are provided by a local cafe in order to  support the local community
  • Encourage our suppliers to adopt more sustainable practices and also choose suppliers who already have greener practices in place
  • We encourage you to travel to and from the Jurassic Coast via train to reduce carbon emissions
  • We do not use any route markers which are often made from plastic based products and non-biodegradable
  • Where possible, our Leaders collect any rubbish enroute
  • We recycle and reuse wherever possible
  • We always operate by our ‘Leave no trace ethos’ – Take nothing but photos, leave nothing but boot-prints, keep nothing but memories.
Location
Duration
1 night & 1 day
Difficulty
Cost From
£
Trip Notes