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!

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.

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!

If you haven’t yet, make sure that the rest of your team have registered by forwarding them the ‘Your Team Details’ email that was sent to you upon registration. This will allow everyone to register themselves, create a fundraising page and recieve our communication emails. 

That’s it for this week! Thank you again for being part of the Hike for Homeless 2026. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please get in touch via: fundraising@stbasils.org.uk.

Team St Basils

Hi {FIRST NAME}

 

Welcome back to your weekly Hike for Homeless mailers! In this mailer, we are going to give you some more information about St Basils as well as a small task to help kick-start your fundraising. 

 

An introduction 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. 

Share your story!

• On your Enthuse page
• On social media alongside your fundraising link
• By replying to this email – we can feature you on our social media, and could even get you on the news!

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

Hi {FIRST NAME}

 

The big day is fast approaching, and we cant wait to welcome you to the beautiful surroundings of Bodenham Arboretum –  it’s the perfect place to kick off your walk, but also to return to at the end of the day to relax and celebrate your achievement.

 

Hello {FIRST NAME}

 

Can you believe its only 5 weeks to go until the big day? In today’s mailer, we are going to take a look at what you have to look forward to at this Hike, from the route to the post-walk celebrations, as well as some more helpful fundraising tips!

 

Kinver Edge and the Wyre Forest

Kinver Edge and Wyre Forest offer a unique blend of natural beauty and historical significance.

The Kinver Edge is a high heath and woodland forest with a rich history, including the last troglodyte dwellings in England – rock caves with intricate carvings!

The Wyre Forest is one of the largest oak woodlands in England, offering miles of way-marked paths and trails suitable for all abilities.

The hike starts and finishes from the beautiful Bodenham Arboretum, and we will be having a party at the finish line! Expect food, drinks and good vibes to celebrate your achievement at the end of the day.

 

St Basils Top Tip

Fundraising pages that are shared on social media raise 440% more than pages that aren’t shared* (*JustGiving, 2024). This week, we are asking you to make a post on social media asking for donations. Feel free to use the below text and social tiles for your post or create your own

I’m taking on the Hike For Homeless with St Basils this June – a challenging walk through the stunning Wyre Forest and Kiver Edge 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

Hi {FIRST NAME},

The good weather is finally coming back – and with just over one month to go until this year’s 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.

You may be wondering why we have not yet sent out the route guides for this event. Don’t worry – they are coming soon. Due to nesting ground birds, we have had to alter some of the walk to avoid disturbing any nests. We will send the digital guides and GPX guides out as soon as possible.

Youth Homelessness in the West Midlands

As you know, St Basils is a West Midlands Youth Homelessness charity, but the statistics below show why the work we do is so important.

• 123,934 young people in the UK asked for help from their local council in 2024/2025 because they were homeless or at risk of homelessness, a 6% increase from last year

• One young person became homeless approximately every 4 minutes in the UK in 2024/25

• 1 in 60 young people were estimated to be facing homelessness in 2024-2025.

• 7,316 young people were homeless in the West Midlands in 2024/2025

• 33% of young people who reached out to their local authority for support were not assessed.

  [source: Centrepoint]

It is thanks to the fundraising of people like you that we are able to provode the vital work we do and help to end the cycle of youth homelessness. 

 

A small talk this week…

Right now, only 19% of participants 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 or direct message really does make a difference. You can find your fundraising page link, below.

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

Hi all 

Welcome back to our countdown mailers! 

It has been wonderful to see so many new sign ups, welcome to the Hike for Homeless team! 

Sadly, only 18.6% of you are currently fundraising.  We have had a great few weeks planning what we hope to be an amazing event, however we rely on your donations to help continue the vital work we do. This event isn’t just a great day out – it is a fundraiser, and we hope that with just 2 weeks to go, you continue to push out your page to your family, friends and colleagues to help make this a success. 

 

In case you missed it, here is some text and a tile that you can use to post on your socials: 

I’m taking on the Hike For Homeless with St Basils this June – a challenging walk through the stunning Wyre Forest and Kiver Edge 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}

Downloadable ‘We are taking part’ PNG social tile.

 

Fundraising Incentive

We also wanted to remind you that EVERYONE who raises over £100 on their personal fundraising page will recieve a free Hike for Homeless t-shirt, which can be collected upon arrival. The t-shirts will also be available for purchase on the day.

 

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, our need further support with your fundraising, just give us a shout at fundraising@stbasils.org.uk.

Team St Basils