Hi {FIRST NAME},

Welcome to the first Hike For Homeless countdown mailer!

Whether this is your first time taking part in Hike for Homeless, or you’re back for another year – welcome! We’re so excited to have you on board.

Over the next 8 weeks, we’ll be sending you handy updates, tips and encouragement to help you prepare for the challenge ahead. It’s not just about putting one foot in front of the other – it’s about stepping up for young people experiencing homelessness.

Every mile you walk and every penny you raise helps St Basils support young people across the West Midlands with a safe place to stay and the support they need to build a brighter future.

So lace up those walking boots – we’re in this together!

P.s, Don’t forget to forward this email on to your team members too. 

 

This week, we’re keeping things simple!

Take a look at your Enthuse Fundraising Page! It’s already been set up for you automatically, and you’ll find the link at the bottom of this mailer – and in every countdown mailer from now on.

Some teams like to personalise their page by changing the URL to reflect their team name – if that’s something you’d like to do, or if you’d like a hand updating anything on your page, just drop us a line at fundraising@stbasils.org.uk – we’re happy to help!

For now, we’d love you to open up your page, have a look around, add a profile picture and add to your bio too!

 

Happy Easter, from everyone here at St Basils!

We’d like to wish you and your loved ones a very Happy Easter. We hope you get to enjoy a well-earned break (with plenty of chocolate!) and maybe even fit in a few sunny walks too. 

 

That’s it for this week! Thank you again for being part of Canal Cycle Challenge 2025. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please get in touch via: fundraising@stbasils.org.uk.

Team St Basils

 

P.s, If you need a recap of any details we’ve shared so far in our previous mailers, you can find everything you need here: Previous Supporter Mailers.

 

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Hi {FIRST NAME},

We hope you had a lovely bank holiday – whether you laced up your boots for some sunny training walks or simply enjoyed a well-earned rest.

Now that we’re 7 weeks away from the Hike, we wanted to take a moment to talk about the heart of this challenge – the reason we walk together every year.

Remember to foward this email to your team members! 

 

This week, we’re introducing you to St Basils…

Some of you might already know who we are – for others, this may be your very first time taking part in a St Basils event. Either way, thank you. Your support makes a real difference.

St Basils works with young people aged 16–25 across the West Mids who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. We help them find safe accommodation, improve their mental and physical wellbeing and help them access education, training or employment so they can move forward with their lives.

Homelessness can feel like a world away – but it can happen to anyone. And when we talk about it, we often use something called The Table Analogy. It’s a really simple, powerful way of showing how a young person’s support system – their home, their family, their work/education and their health – can start to collapse without warning.

We’d love you to take a couple of minutes to watch this short video.

🎥 Watch: The Table Analogy

You may never face the kind of challenges described here – but by taking part in Hike for Homeless, you’re walking in solidarity with those who do. 

 

Thank you again for stepping up and stepping out for young people.

As always, if you have any questions or need help, you can reach us at: fundraising@stbasils.org.uk

Team St Basils

 

P.s. Missed a mailer? You can catch up on everything we’ve shared so far right here: Previous Supporter Mailers

 

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Hi {FIRST NAME},

We hope you’ve had a lovely week and managed to enjoy some of the sunshine. If we’re lucky, we’ll get weather just like this for the Hike… hopefully a little cooler!

With just 6 weeks to go, it’s a great time to start getting excited for what’s ahead. This week, we’ve got a pawsome update to share with you, plus a small favour to ask.

 

This year’s hike is dog friendly!

We’re thrilled to let you know that this year’s Hike For Homeless is dog friendly! So if you’ve got a four-legged companion who loves the great outdoors, feel free to bring them along for the adventure in Bakewell.

Please remember that in some areas along the route, dogs will need to be kept on a lead – and as always, it’s important to be responsible and make sure you’re cleaning up after them too. 

 

A small task for this week…

Could you ask a friend, colleague or family member to join you on the day?

Whether it’s someone who loves a good countryside walk, or someone who just wants to do something meaningful – the more, the merrier!

Please if you can, invite them to sign up and create a new team, or join yours if you’re already walking as a group.

It’s a great way to make your hike more special, while also helping us raise even more to support young people facing homelessness across the West Midlands.

 

That’s it from us this week! As always, if you have any questions or need help with anything at all, feel free to drop us a line at fundraising@stbasils.org.uk.

Team St Basils 

 

P.s. You can find everything we’ve shared so far in your countdown mailers right here: Previous Supporter Mailers

 

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Hi {FIRST NAME},

We hope you had a lovely bank holiday weekend!

It’s been perfect pub garden weather lately (even if it’s starting to cool down now!), so this week felt like the right time to talk about the amenities you’ll have access to throughout the day.

Plus, we’ve set up a brand new Facebook Event for this year’s Hike – and we’d love for you and your whole team to join us there. More on that below!

Finally, if you haven’t received it already, check out this year’s Event Pack.

 

What To Expect On The Day…

Our start and finish line is inside the main building at: Agricultural Centre, Agricultural Way, Bakewell, DE45 1AH

A delicious breakfast will be available to purchase on the day, provided by local business, Farmers Feast.

On route, you’ll find two lovely pubs – The Wheatsheaf and The Robin Hood in Baslow – which we’ll be using as checkpoints. Both offer drinks and hearty pub meals if you fancy a mid-hike break!

Each checkpoint will also have free water, toilets and energy treats to keep you going. We do recommend bringing your own reusable bottle, along with any snacks you love to have on hand during a walk.

After you cross the finish line, we’d love for you to join us at The Peacock Pub in Bakewell – it’s just 150 yards from the finish and the perfect spot for a celebratory drink with fellow hikers!

 

A Small Task For This Week…

We’ve created a Facebook Event for this year’s Hike for Homeless, and we’d love for you and your team to join in! You can ask questions directly to St Basils staff, chat with other teams, offer tips, or get advice if it’s your first time joining us. It’s a great way to keep everyone connected and build some pre-hike buzz together.

Click here to join the Facebook Event – and please pass on the link to the rest of your team too!

 

That’s it for this week! Thank you again for being part of Hike For Homeless 2025. If you have any questions in the meantime, just pop us an email at fundraising@stbasils.org.uk – we’re always happy to help.

Team St Basils

 

P.S. You can catch up on previous mailers anytime over on our website: Previous Supporter Mailers.

 

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Hi {FIRST NAME},

The good weather is back – and with just 4 weeks to go until the Hike For Homeless, now’s the perfect time to get a few training walks in!

There are so many great walking routes to explore around the West Mids – from the Clent Hills and Lickey Hills, to Cannock Chase, Arrow Valley and the Waseley Hills. You don’t need to go too far to enjoy some fresh air and beautiful views.

It’s also a great week to test out your hiking boots. If you’re thinking of getting a new pair, now’s the time! Make sure to break them in over the next few weeks to avoid any blisters or sore feet on the day.

 

Let’s Talk Fundraising…

Right now, only 18% of teams are actively fundraising.

We know how much fun it is to take on this challenge with your team, but don’t forget – you’re not just hiking. You’re helping St Basils provide safe accommodation, wellbeing support, and access to education and training for young people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

If you haven’t already, please share your fundraising page with friends, family and colleagues – every share really does make a difference. You can find your fundraising page link, below.

Need to make a change to your page, like updating your team name or changing your URL? Just drop us a line at fundraising@stbasils.org.uk – we’re always happy to help!

 

A Small Task This Week…

We’ve drafted a little something you can DM your loved ones, or post on social media to help kickstart your fundraising. Feel free to personalise it and share it with your network! Each week, you can find the link to your fundraising page at the bottom of the mailer.

 

I’m taking on the Hike For Homeless with St Basils this June – a challenging walk through the stunning Peak District to help end youth homelessness in the West Midlands.

It won’t be easy, but it’s all for an incredible cause. St Basils supports young people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, providing safe accommodation, wellbeing support, and access to education and training – helping each individual build a brighter future.

If you’re able to support me with a donation, I’d be so grateful. Thank you!

{INSERT FUNDRAISING PAGE LINK}

 

Thank you, as always, for being part of this journey. Every step you take is making a difference.

If you have any questions in the meantime, just give us a shout at fundraising@stbasils.org.uk.

Team St Basils

 

P.S. Need a refresher? You can find previous countdown mailers here: Hike For Homeless Supporter Mailers

 

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