Charli Hicks and five friends and family members, known as Charli's Angels – James, Emily, Bert, Kate and Rosie – have completed 102 miles of the Cotswold Way in under 24 hours, raising more than £13,000 for RABI – the Farmers Charity.
The fundraising challenge, named Edward's Way, was created in memory of Charli's dad, Edward Hicks. Charli wanted to honour his memory while raising funds to help RABI continue providing practical, financial and emotional support to farming people across England and Wales.
Starting at Bath Abbey and finishing in Chipping Campden, the team completed the challenge over 12 and 13 September. Having originally set a fundraising target of £10,000, Edward's Way has so far raised £13,021 for RABI.
A private family trust that knew Edward personally has offered to match every donation made to Edward's Way in his memory. This means each donation will be matched with an equal contribution, increasing the amount raised for RABI's work with farming people.
The Edward's Way fundraising page will remain open until mid-October, giving people further opportunity to support the challenge.
They added: "It should be the norm to talk."
We're all in this together
Explaining her reasons for taking on the challenge, Charli described her dad as someone who would always make time for friends, family and others in the community, particularly within farming.
She also spoke about the pressures that can affect farming people, including long hours, isolation and financial concerns, and the importance of being able to access appropriate support.
Charli chose to fundraise for RABI because the charity provides practical, financial and emotional support tailored to individual circumstances. This includes free professional counselling, practical guidance and targeted financial assistance.
Ahead of the challenge, Charli explained that Edward's Way was also about encouraging conversations around mental health and recognising support as a normal part of looking after one another, not something to seek only when pressures become overwhelming.
Following the challenge, Charli said:
"The challenge went so much better than we could have imagined. It was incredible having a whole team around us, morale was high despite the rain and we all finished pretty injury free! A couple of tumbles in the dark but that just adds to the fun.
It felt incredibly special running into Chipping Campden with my brother to cheers from our loved ones."
Danielle Burwood, Events Community Fundraiser at RABI:
"Completing 102 miles in under 24 hours is an incredible achievement, and we're so grateful to Charli, James, Emily, Bert, Kate and Rosie for coming together to support RABI through Edward's Way and honour Edward's memory.
From the campaign beginning at the Moreton Show to the friends, family and support teams who played their part along the route, it has been a truly incredible team effort.
The money raised will help RABI continue providing practical, financial and emotional support to farming people across England and Wales. Thank you to everyone who has supported Edward's Way and helped make such an incredible challenge possible."
Donations to Edward's Way can still be made until mid-October at https://www.justgiving.com/page/edwards-way
