Spinnaker Tower Abseil, Portsmouth
11 July 2026
News
Retired Colonel, Leslie Clarke, is taking on an epic fundraising challenge to celebrate his 91st birthday. The intrepid veteran is walking 100 miles to support two charities close to his heart – Step by Step and Combat Stress.
Over the course of the Easter weekend, Leslie will be walking 33 laps of his home village of Normandy, Surrey to help raise funds and awareness. His previous fundraising challenge – while not on this scale – attracted a crowd of well-wishers and around £5,000 in life-changing funds.
He will be setting off on Good Friday and walking throughout the next three days, stopping only to go to church on the Sunday.
Leslie has an impressive background, including a 40-year, globe-trotting career in the military and a stint in local government. He finally retired at 89 years old.
Leslie is a true hero by any measure, and we’re delighted that he has chosen to support young people facing homelessness with his latest endeavour.
Please join us in cheering him on – Step by Step and other well-wishers will be meeting Leslie at Wanborough Station at 10am on Saturday 19th April. The BBC will also be there to capture his impressive challenge.
Good luck, Leslie!
We are proud to announce the opening of our new move-on property in Bedhampton. This home will support up to four young people aged 18 and over, many of whom might otherwise be left waiting on housing lists, homeless, or relying on a friend’s sofa.
The Bedhampton property is the third Step by Step move-on home – a unique accommodation model for young people ready to move on with their lives but with no viable housing options available to them.
