News

Celebrations

• The Kings Award for Voluntary Service was awarded to our incredible volunteers.
• The Active Devon Volunteer Award was presented to Jeanie Blackall who founded the Healing Steps walking group in North Devon, part of the Coast Path Connectors project.
• Julian Gray, SWCPA Director, received the Outstanding Contribution to Tourism Award at the South West Tourism Awards
• Our Trailblazer Walk film was premiered at the World Trails Film Festival (Canada).
• We were ranked as the World’s Happiest Walk
• We were a finalist in Britain’s Favourite Path run by the Ramblers GB

Photo: Jeanie Blackall being presented with the Active Devon Award for Volunteering

Fundraising

Every Mile Matters (EMM) 2024 Campaign

We focussed our EMM campaign on climate change and the impact that the increased frequency and intensity of extreme weather conditions are having on our National Trail. 

We welcomed on board sponsors from across the region who supported our work during the year. Thank you to St Austell Brewery (headline sponsor); Great Western Railway (sustainable transport); John Fowler Holidays; The Esplanade; Warrens Bakery; Seasalt Cornwall; and Luxury Coastal.

Individual Fundraisers

This year we have had some inspirational fundraisers supporting the charity. We know everyone’s journey on the path is a personal one and we are so appreciative of all those who choose to give back. A few, fantastic fundraisers who have stood out this year are: 

• Tom Keys-Toyer who ran a marathon a day to complete the path in tribute to his son Sam and raised over £52,000 for Boys in Mind a South West based charity which seeks to reduce mental health stigma among boys and young men by equipping them with the tools to talk about their feelings and to ask for help when they are feeling down or struggling. Tom donated 10% of the amazing amount raised to the South West Coast Path to support the Trail.
• Emma Scattergood a Dorset-based writer, creative facilitator and artist celebrated the SWCPA’s 50th anniversary by exploring and capturing her experiences of the Path in 50 pictures while fundraising for the Path and Dementia UK. Emma completed her experience with an exhibition of her works at Durlston Country Park in July 2024.
• Lisa Franklin who walked the path in memory of her daughter Charlotte while raising money for the South West Coast Path and PAPYRUS (the National Charity for the Prevention of Young Suicide). 

We are so grateful to those who raise funds for the path in whatever way they choose. We love to hear about your fundraising journeys and are always looking to support you along the way so please do get in touch if you are planning to fundraise.

Photo: Tom Keys-Toyer pausing for a breather at Porthcurno during his marathon a day challenge of running the SWCP and raising funds. 

Corporate Mile Makers

• ATASS Sports become a double mile maker raising £3,000 through several Euros 2024 sporting activities and walks along the South West Coast Path. 
• St Austell Brewery have been a corporate supporter of the SWCPA for a number of years now. Sponsoring our Photographer of the Year competition in 2023 and being the headline sponsor for our Every Mile Matters campaign in 2024. 
• Practice Plus Group nominated SWCPA as their 2024 Charity of The Year. Throughout the year they have undertaken fundraising events such as their Christmas Craft Fayre, taken donations on their front desk and auctioned some fantastic items including a signed ball and shirt from Plymouth Argyle. They are striving to raise £1,500 and become Corporate Mile Makers. 

Photo: ATASS Sports with their hard earned Mile Maker sign - presented at Exmouth during a celebratory walk

Corporate Partnerships

• Luggage Transfers have raised £1,900 – a big thank you to them and their customers.
• Macs Adventure have donated just over £5,000 for improvement works on the Path - their continued support is hugely appreciated.

1% for the Planet

The South West Coast Path is part of an organisation called 1% for the Planet. This organisation encourages businesses to pledge 1% of their profits to non-profits. We have been fortunate to be supported by 3 companies:

• Julia Toms Photography
• Studio Wood
• Turnstyle Designs - Artisans of Luxury Door Hardware

Coast Path Friendly Events

This year we have been supported by several events and clubs who use the path and pledge to give back to it’s upkeep. Plymouth Coastal Runners, Axe Valley Runners, Sidmouth Running Club’s JP’s Exe to Axe and Climb South West are just a few of our ‘Coast Path Friendly’ partners. 

Photo: Plymouth Coastal Runners out on the Path near Wembury

Path News

King Charles III England Coast Path (KCIII ECP) routes opened 

• Minehead to Combe Martin
• Kingswear to Lyme Regis
• Marsland Mouth to Newquay – Part of stretch opened
• Newquay to Penzance – Part of stretch opened

Further information about the KCIII ECP route can be found HERE. 

The map illustrates the new Coast Path route on the Minehead to Combe Martin stretch - bringing the South West Coast Path more seaward.

Path Improvements

• Step Up Appeal purchased 760 step boards costing just under £9,000.
• Find Your Way appeal purchased 23 signs costing just over £5,000.
• 15 improvement projects completed with an additional 4 projects approved for early 2025
• We drew in an additional £174,000 from Natural England to spend on 46 improvement projects in the first quarter of 2024. Full projects total including the match funding from us and the partners was £258,000.

Photos: Left - improvement works on the path in the Fleet and Chesil area taken by Dorset Council; Middle - newly installed steps on the path Near Mawnan Church taken by National Trust; Right - Portnadler Ladder steps taken by National Trust

Coast Path Connectors Project - National Lottery Heritage Fund

• Over 450 Walks over the 5 hubs 
• 3,470+ participants over the 5 hubs 
• 4 celebration events taken place to celebrate the success of the project (with one more planned for early 2025). 
• Volunteers have given over 2,100 hours of support to the project (equivalent of a full-time employee working solidly for 56 weeks)
• Lorna Sherriff (SWCP National Trails Officer) presented on the Coast Path Connectors project at the World Trails Network Conference in Canada and at the inaugural National Trails UK Summit. 

Photo: A walk at Mount Edgcumbe with The Mustard Tree walking group - Plymouth CPC hub

International Friendship Trail

The South West Coast Path united with the Bruce Trail in Canada in an International Friendship Trail. You can read more about the Friendship Trail HERE. 

Photo: Opening of the South West Coast Path International Friendship Trail with the Bruce Trail Conservancy at Maple Cross Nature Reserve Canada

Events

Every Mile Matters Magnificent 7 Walks 

Seven walks held in the spring and summer saw members, sponsors, supporters and volunteers come together to raise vital funds whilst enjoying a walk along the South West Coast Path. A big thank you to everyone who joined us and supported our campaign. 

Photo: Magnificent 7 Walk Jurassic Coast, Dorset

South West Coast Path Photographer of the Year (SWCP POTY)

We were thrilled to partner with Great Western Railway to bring the SWCP POTY Exhibition to London’s Paddington Station, the gateway to the South West. The exhibition, held in July, was viewed by tens of thousands of people. 

Following its London stint, it travelled to Plymouth and was part of the arts festival Artober at Royal William Yard. 

Annual General Meeting

Always a great opportunity to meet with our members and supporters. In 2024 we held the AGM at Dunster, near to the official start of the South West Coast Path in Minehead, and we were delighted that so many of our members were able to join us. We were also provided with wonderful tours of Dunster Castle by our partners the National Trust. 

Photo: Enjoying an explore around Dunster Castle following our AGM

Business Engagement

• Our Way Maker businesses now total 500 and provide a warm walker welcome.
• We have reinvigorated our Coast Path Life Instagram account 
• Our Coast Path Passport stamping points have now reached 200, creating even more places for you to stop and pick up a stamp.
• We set up a partnership with the National Coastwatch Institution for their volunteer-managed watch towers to become passport stamping points along the South West Coast Path. 

Photo: Guy Marsden and Sadie Thompson capture their passport moment at Froward Point NCI station

Countryfile

We finished the year with a wonderful piece about our Coast Path Connectors project on BBC1 Countryfile that was first shown on Sunday 29th December. Catch up on iPlayer. 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0026f6w

Photo: Preparing for filming at Porthtowan