On a bright September evening, as the sun dipped behind the Sussex Downs and the sea breeze rolled in across the coast, a group of lawyers, judges, students, and community members tightened their laces and set out together. Their destination wasn’t a courtroom, but a cause.
This is the Sussex Legal Walk—a 10km fundraising event that has quietly become one of the most important fixtures in the county’s calendar for those who believe in fairness, equality, and access to justice.
Walking for Justice
The idea is simple: gather a crowd, walk a route, and raise money. But behind every step lies a bigger story. Legal advice charities in Sussex are overwhelmed by demand. Families threatened with eviction, people battling debt, and individuals struggling through complex immigration cases all rely on services that are increasingly underfunded.
The Sussex Legal Walks—held in Brighton, Hastings, Chichester, Crawley, and Eastbourne—help keep those services alive. Every sponsorship pledge goes directly to the frontline: Citizens Advice offices, housing support groups, and advice centres that intervene when lives are on the brink of collapse.
Brighton’s Coastal Stride
In Brighton, the walk takes participants along the famous seafront. Last year, more than a hundred people took part, raising thousands for local advice charities. The funds meant that organisations such as BHT Sussex could continue preventing homelessness, while Money Advice Plus guided struggling families through the maze of debt and benefits.
“It’s more than a fundraiser,” said one participant. “It’s a reminder that we’re part of a community that doesn’t turn its back on people in crisis.”
Hastings: Hills and Hardship
Hastings offers a tougher route—either a hilly climb or a long seafront stretch. But walkers say the challenge reflects the issues they’re supporting: resilience, persistence, and a determination to reach the finish line. Money raised goes to groups like Citizens Advice 1066 and the Hastings Advice and Representation Centre, both of which provide crucial lifelines to residents struggling with housing and poverty.
A Network of Support Across Sussex
From Chichester’s leafy streets to Crawley’s urban heart, each walk tells the same story: when public services fall short, local charities step up. And when those charities need help, Sussex walks.
The events are also unifying. High Sheriffs, law students, solicitors, barristers, and residents march shoulder to shoulder. The day ends not with a judgment but with a gathering—often in a local pub or hall—where stories are shared, new supporters are recruited, and a community spirit thrives.
Why It Matters Now
The cost-of-living crisis has turned up the pressure. Advice agencies across Sussex report record numbers of people needing urgent help. The Legal Walks don’t just raise funds—they raise awareness that justice should never depend on your bank balance.
Looking Ahead
As Sussex prepares for the 2025 series of walks, organisers are calling on more teams to sign up. “Every extra walker means more money for advice services,” one organiser explained. “Every extra pound means someone gets the support they need at the hardest time in their life.”
So this autumn, when groups of suited lawyers and local residents are spotted winding through Sussex’s streets, they won’t be marching for themselves—they’ll be walking for justice.
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