‘Every step will help’: Girls Who Walk Preston take on 21-mile Guild Wheel walk for domestic abuse charity

A Preston women’s group is preparing to take on their latest annual challenge to raise vital funds and awareness for a local domestic abuse charity.

Members of Girls Who Walk Preston will lace up their trainers on Saturday, September 26 2026 for a 21-mile sponsored walk around Preston’s Guild Wheel to raise funds for Hope Prevails.

The Preston based charity provides specialist, confidential support to individuals affected by domestic abuse and is opening a new premises in the New Year.

Starting and finishing at Avenham Park, the home of the Girls Who Walk Preston’s weekly Sunday walk, participants will tackle the full Guild Wheel loop before heading to Chew’s Yard for a celebratory after-party and raffle draw.

The group’s upcoming walk comes following the success of last year’s inaugural challenge, which raised over £3,500 for Trust House Lancashire, supporting survivors of rape and sexual assault.

Founded in January 2025 by Grace Gudgeon and Alex Judge, Girls Who Walk Preston now have over 6000 social media followers and they were finalists in this year’s BBC Make a Difference Awards.

What will the money be spent on?

Funds raised from this event will go towards:

• Comfortable furniture for counselling and support rooms
• Children’ s play and therapeutic resources
• IT equipment, laptops and digital access points for service users
• Safety and security measures for the building
• Kitchen facilities for community groups and wellbeing sessions
• Furniture and equipment for training, workshops and peer support activities
• Private spaces where survivors can meet safely with support workers
• Resources for recovery programmes, wellbeing activities and support groups
• Accessibility improvements to ensure the building is welcoming for everyone
• Decoration, soft furnishings and sensory elements that create a warm, trauma-informed environment
• Community space where women can connect, rebuild confidence and reduce isolation

What has beens aid about this year’s walk?

Grace Gudgeon, Founder of Girls Who Walk Preston, said: “Last year, our community proved what can be achieved when women come together, raising over £3,000 for a local lifeline. We are so proud to be stepping out again on 26 September, this time for Hope Prevails. Domestic abuse affects so many lives in our city, and ensuring Hope Prevails can continue offering free counselling, advocacy, and sanctuary support is deeply important to us. Supporting each other, making connections, and giving back to Preston is a huge honour.”

Gemma Roberts, CEO of Hope Prevails added: “Every step we take will be helping us create a safe, welcoming new space for people affected by domestic abuse. Funds raised through this walk will contribute towards opening and equipping Hope Prevails Preston's new premises, due to open in the New Year. The new space will provide a dedicated hub where women, children and families can access life-changing support, recovery programmes, advocacy services, peer support and opportunities to rebuild their lives free from abuse. Your donation will help create a warm, accessible and welcoming environment where survivors can find safety, hope and the support they need to thrive. Together, we can help ensure that no one has to face domestic abuse alone.”

How can the people of Preston support Girls Who Walk’s challenge?

The community is invited to support the initiative in three ways:

1. Register to walk and collect personal sponsorships.
2. Donate directly to the online fundraiser. The link can be found here: https://gofund.me/814e4af1e
3. Purchase raffle tickets for prizes donated by local businesses, drawn at Chew’s Yard on the evening of the walk.

You can register to walk or buy raffle tickets from this link: https://www.thecliq.app/event/gwwp-guild-wheel-sponsored-walk-2026