North Devon to Torbay walk draws hundreds after huge online response

Around 350 people are set to take part in a 24-hour coast-to-coast charity walk across Devon this summer, after thousands expressed interest within days of its launch.

The “24 in 26” challenge will see walkers travel 109km (68 miles) from Westward Ho! in North Devon to Paignton in Torbay, passing through Dartmoor. 

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The event is due to begin at 6pm on Friday, June 19, 2026.

It is being organised by The Devon Clinic, a charity which provides affordable mental health support across the county.

Organisers said they were unprepared for the level of interest when the event was first advertised on social media.

Founder Chris Fleet said: “Normally we run smaller events with maybe a dozen or so people. We thought if we ran a small Facebook ad we might get another 10 or 12 people, we didn’t expect anything like the response we got.

“It scared the life out of me to be honest, I couldn’t sleep and was a nervous wreck, which is ironic considering what we do.”

A single Facebook post triggered almost 6,000 expressions of interest, far exceeding the organiser's expectations. 

Places have now been filled, with a waiting list in place.

“We’ll offer places to people on the waiting list if anyone drops out,” Chris added. “The interest hasn’t slowed down, it’s been incredible.”

Due to the scale of the event, additional planning and professional support has been brought in to help manage safety along the route.

Chris said: “I realised very quickly this was too much for me to handle on my own. 

“We’ve brought in professional support so we can look after people properly: they’ve risk assessed the route, organised manned checkpoints, GPS tracking, evacuation plans for those who can’t continue, medical cover and loads more behind the scenes.”

The walk aims to raise money for mental health services provided by the charity, including counselling and therapy for people experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma and domestic abuse.

The Devon Clinic also offers reduced-cost counselling sessions for those who may struggle to afford private support.

“With demand for support rising, every donation helps us keep sessions accessible for people who might otherwise go without,” Chris said.

“If we raise enough, we’ll be looking at expanding access across Devon, including the long-term goal of a second clinic in North Devon.”

Although walker places are currently full, organisers say some participants are likely to drop out before the event and the waiting list remains open.

The charity is also appealing for volunteers to help on the day, particularly at checkpoints along the route, including overnight shifts.

Chris added: “Not everyone can take on a challenge like this, but everyone can play a part, whether that’s volunteering, donating, or simply sharing the campaign.”