This year we are walking 40 miles barefoot bringing our barefoot total up to 160 miles to help get Sebastian to the Karate World Championships.

We're a mum-and-daughter team — two ordinary people trying to make a meaningful difference through an annual barefoot walk along the South West Coast Path in the UK.

Over the past few years, many of you followed and supported our "Barefoot" journey. What began as a chance meeting with a young boy in South Africa grew into a deeply meaningful chapter in our lives. Thanks to the kindness of so many people, we were able to support a single mother and her three boys through some incredibly difficult years — helping with school fees, food, clothing and a more stable home life.

Although that specific chapter has now come to an end, the heart behind these walks remains the same: walking with purpose to help someone take one step closer to a better future.

This year, we are walking 40 miles barefoot from Exmouth to Dartmouth, in support of a young karate athlete from the Western Cape in South Africa. Sebastian has been selected to represent South Africa at the World Championships in Romania in July.

Sebastian is currently ranked No. 1 in South Africa in his age division. Behind his achievements lie years of relentless hard work, discipline, sacrifice and consistency. International sport at this level comes with enormous costs, and unlike many mainstream sports, this young martial artist and his family carry the full financial burden.

What makes Sebastian's journey especially compelling is that this is no longer a once-off opportunity. He has already competed at two previous World Championships, bringing home six medals across those tournaments. The first time he qualified in 2024, he thought it would probably be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. But his karate has developed so strongly, and his dedication grown so deeply, that he was selected again in 2025 — and now once again for 2026.

Our fundraising goal is £3,000, which will help cover flights, accommodation, competition entry fees, transport and other travel expenses.

Walking barefoot is uncomfortable, tiring and sometimes painful. We carry all our gear on our backs and camp along the way. Sometimes the going is slow. Sometimes frustrating. Often breathtakingly beautiful. Every year it reminds Megan and I that meaningful things are rarely easy — and that small acts of determination, done consistently, can genuinely change someone's future.

During this walk, we hope to help Sebastian take one step closer to representing his country on the world stage once again.

Small steps really do add up. If you would like to support his journey, we would be incredibly grateful.

Thank you for continuing to walk this road with us.

Charmaine and Megan

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