The first Hike4Homes: our 2025 appeal

This article was first published in April 2025 ahead of the first Hike4Homes on 28 June 2025. The event has now passed.

Hike4Homes began with a straightforward idea: bring people together for a walk, raise money for Zetetick Housing and help more people understand why safe, suitable homes matter.

The first appeal described a shared journey, with supporters walking side by side and helping build a community where people with learning disabilities and autism feel they belong. We hoped it would become an annual tradition.

Fundraising and connection

My trustee colleague Andy talked about the ripple effect of Hike4Homes. The campaign aimed to support our housing work and bring people into contact with the charity, its tenants and its supporters.

Sophia, our Fundraising Manager at the time, said new friendships were already forming while the walk was being planned. Some people were interested in the challenge, others in the fresh air or the chance to contribute.

Hike4Homes poster for 28 June 2025, showing walkers on the South Downs — Original poster for the completed Hike4Homes event on 28 June 2025.

A community in motion

Andy called it a “community in motion.” That captured the intention behind the event: a shared act of solidarity with people who need suitable homes and support to live in their communities.

The original invitation encouraged people to walk, volunteer, donate or spread the word. Those contributions all helped the campaign take shape.

What happened next?

Our July 2025 report recorded more than £7,300 raised and thanked the walkers, volunteers, staff and local businesses involved. Read the Hike4Homes 2025 result.