60 for 60 winner Charlie Dedman to trek 630-miles for charity

Charlie Dedman, one of our 60 for 60 winners, is undertaking a challenging 630-mile trek to raise funds for the charity Woodland Heritage.

Charlie will be taking 2.5 months out from his work as a furniture designer for Hampshire firm Gaze Burvill from 1 April 2024 to walk from Minehead to South Haven Port along the South West Coast Path.

He is hoping to raise £10,000 for Woodland Heritage, a charity very close to his heart.

He said: “Growing up on the edge of the South Downs National park, and son of a property restorer, I have always been surrounded by nature and processes that complement it.”

“Now eight years into a furniture design career at Gaze Burvill, who produce the finest outdoor furniture, I am hitting pause on CAD, emails and deadlines and hitting the 630-mile South West Coast Path for a new life affirming challenge.”

Along the way, highlights of Charlie’s trek include the rugged Valley of the Rocks, the cobbles of Clovelly, Rick Stein’s Padstow Fish ‘n’ Chips and The Minack Theatre grand stage.

John Orchard, chief executive of Woodland Heritage said: “Charlie is an inspiration! We all love trees and woodlands. But it’s surprising that so few of the nation’s woodlands are sustainably managed and the UK is the third largest importer of forest products in the world. During a climate crisis, we simply aren’t making the most of what we have.

“To change this is a long road. Even longer than the 630 miles Charlie will be covering to support Woodland Heritage. Good luck Charlie, we’re rooting for you!”