This Spring, Tony, a dedicated mentor working alongside UKG Language and Learning, is taking on an incredible 630 mile challenge. He will be walking the entire South West Coast Path, travelling from Minehead to Poole Harbour, with the goal of raising £3,000 to support vulnerable young people in Alternative Provision.
The South West Coast Path is one of the UK’s most challenging long-distance trails. Stretching across 630 miles of coastline, it includes over 115,000 feet of ascent and descent — the equivalent of climbing Mount Everest four times. While most walkers complete the route in around 52 days, Tony is aiming to finish it in just 40.
Why Tony Is Taking On This Challenge
Tony works closely with young people in Alternative Provision. Many have experienced disruption in mainstream education. Some face complex home circumstances, mental health challenges, trauma, or significant gaps in learning.
These experiences can impact confidence, self-belief and future opportunities.
Through his mentoring work, Tony has seen first-hand how powerful outdoor experiences can be. Time away from daily pressures, taking part in physical challenges and working as part of a team can help young people rebuild confidence, develop resilience and recognise their own strengths.
That belief is what inspired this journey.
Tony is raising funds to help provide Summer Adventure Camp places for young people who may otherwise miss out.
You can hear from Tony himself, why he is participating in this challenge by watching the video below:
How Your Support Will Make a Difference
Our summer programmes offer structured outdoor learning experiences designed to build confidence and independence. In a safe and supportive setting, young people take part in activities such as:
- Climbing
- Raft building
- Mountain biking
- Kayaking
- Team challenges
- Outdoor survival skills
These experiences give young people the opportunity to reset, refocus and grow. Away from everyday pressures, they can achieve things they may never have thought possible. They develop communication skills, problem-solving abilities and teamwork — all while building lasting memories and friendships.
Most importantly, they begin to see themselves differently.
Learn more about our camps here:
The Summer Holiday Gap
For young people in Alternative Provision, the summer holidays can be especially challenging. During this period, there is no Local Authority funding. Without structured support, some young people face long weeks without positive activities or opportunities.
While many families are able to access summer camps and enrichment activities, others are not.
Tony’s 630 mile walk along the South West Coast Path aims to bridge that gap.
Every donation will go directly towards funding places for young people who would otherwise miss out on a life-changing summer experience.
How You Can Support Tony
You can help by:
✔ Donating to the fundraiser
✔ Sharing the JustGiving page
✔ Following Tony’s journey on Instagram or Facebook
✔ Raising awareness about Alternative Provision
Each step Tony takes represents hope, opportunity and belief in the potential of every young person we support.
Thank you for being part of this journey and for helping us create meaningful opportunities for those who need them most.
