Keep on moving, don't stop now

At Good Company, we often talk about the everyday habits that can help us age well. Keeping active. Staying connected. Spending time outside. Having a goal to work towards and people alongside us while we do it.

Movement cannot prevent every difficulty that comes with getting older, but it can play an important part in maintaining our strength, balance, confidence and independence.

The NHS recommends that older adults take part in some form of physical activity every day, including activities that support strength, balance and flexibility. The World Health Organisation also recognises regular activity as an important part of maintaining physical and mental capacity as we age.

That does not mean everyone needs to run a marathon. Far from it.

For one person, keeping moving might mean a walk around the block. For someone else, it could be joining our Thursday Walking Club, completing their first 10k or taking on 100km across the South Downs.

What matters is finding something that feels possible, enjoyable and worth getting out of the house for.

A challenge shared

Challenge events bring together many of the things we value at Good Company.

They give us a reason to move, something to look forward to and a chance to spend time with other people. They also provide an opportunity to test ourselves, create new habits and discover that we might be capable of more than we thought.

Just as importantly, they bring people together around a shared purpose. Every training walk, donation and word of encouragement becomes part of something bigger.

Earlier this year, four brilliant runners took on the Brighton and Hove 10k for Good Company in extremely windy conditions.

Iola from CooperBurnett finished in just over 45 minutes, while Charlotte, Lesley and Oscar from Team Aspen completed the course in around an hour. Together, with match funding from Aspen, they raised more than £4,000 to support our work.

It was a wonderful example of what challenge events can achieve. Four people took on the physical challenge, but many more became part of it by sponsoring them, sharing their fundraising and cheering them towards the finish line.

The money they raised helps Good Company provide welcoming clubs, activities, conversation and practical support for older adults, carers and people living with dementia across the High Weald.

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What will your next challenge be?

We now have several opportunities for people who would like to move more and raise money for Good Company.

On 5 and 6 September 2026, we are hoping to bring together a team for the South Coast Ultra Challenge.

Starting in Eastbourne, the route takes participants over Beachy Head, across the Seven Sisters and along the South Downs Way. You can choose to walk, jog or run 25km, around 50km or the full 100km route to Arundel, taking it at your own pace.

You can join with friends, colleagues or family members, or sign up on your own and become part of the Good Company team. It is a serious challenge, but there are different distances and options for a wide range of experience levels.

We also have places available for next year’s Brighton and Hove 10k, which could be the perfect goal for someone considering their first organised run.

And for anyone dreaming particularly big, we have one very special London Marathon place available.

Whether your challenge is 10km or 100km, you will be helping us keep people connected, confident and part of everyday community life.

To express your interest in any of our challenge events, email community@thegoodcompanypeople.org.

For the South Coast Ultra Challenge, select The Good Company People as your nominated charity when you register.

Let’s keep moving, together.