Locals encouraged to join Chilterns 3 peaks challenge to support hospice care
it's the 16th year Rennie Grove Peace Hospice, which operates across Bucks and Herts, organises the fundraising challenge
Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care is inviting people across Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire to take part in its annual Chilterns 3 Peaks Challenge on Sunday 14 September 2025, helping to raise vital funds for local hospice services.
Now in its 16th year, the walking event offers routes of 7, 10.5 or 18.5 miles, starting at Princes Risborough School and taking in parts of The Ridgeway.
The two longer routes finish at Ivinghoe Beacon, with buses available for return journeys. Participants can take part individually or as part of a group, and dogs are welcome.
Emma Stewart, Events Manager at Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care, said: “It’s a really lovely day out for friends, families, colleagues – a great way to get the community together whilst raising money for Rennie Grove Peace Hospice Care.”
Last year’s challenge attracted over 1,000 walkers – a record for the event – and raised more than £90,000. This year, organisers hope to raise £84,000 to help fund the charity’s work across the region.
Ms Stewart explained that every participant is encouraged to raise at least £250 in sponsorship, as this could “pay for a full day of counselling sessions for individuals who have lost a loved one.”
The charity supports adults with progressive life-limiting illnesses and their families through services including hospice at home care, inpatient units, counselling, complementary therapies and community groups such as Compassionate Cafés.
Ms Stewart stressed the breadth of the organisation’s work.
She said: “People often think hospice care is all about dying, but actually it isn’t. It’s about living – and living well – with your illness. We support people from diagnosis, offering everything from practical advice to reflexology treatments, as well as palliative and end-of-life care.”
She also highlighted the importance of local involvement, particularly as hospices face financial pressures, adding that “community support for any hospice is essential at the moment. Every pound you raise goes back into making our care the best we can make it for our local community.”
One local resident who has benefited from hospice support is Darren from Watford, whose wife Laura died in 2023. He said: “The group sessions have been a revelation. I enjoy speaking with people who have gone through something similar to me. Sometimes we’re laughing, sometimes we’re crying, sometimes we’re just talking about our families.”
All participants in the Chilterns 3 Peaks Challenge will receive an event T-shirt and medal, with those raising £534 or more also receiving a Rennie Grove Peace hoodie – the equivalent of funding two nights of specialist overnight care.