Danny Hirst
Managing Director
Surrey Three Peaks, Saturday 25 October 2025
We did it!
On 25 October 2025, Caitlyn, Andy, Duncan and I took on the Surrey Three Peaks, and my legs are now filing a formal HR complaint. We based ourselves at the Burford Bridge Hotel at the foot of Box Hill, stayed the night before, stayed again after, and set alarms for a dark start.
Off at 06:30 with head torches on, we set out on the classic loop, Leith Hill, Holmbury Hill, then Box Hill as the finale. It was cool and still, about 8°C, a brisk westerly around 16 km/h, the kind of October air that wakes you up better than an espresso.
Climbing in the half light gave us that famous sweep over Denbies vineyard. The sunrise hid behind the South Downs, so we got a gold rim rather than a full blaze, dramatic and very Surrey.
From Leith Hill, up by the tower the panorama opened wide across the autumn countryside. We traced the ridge lines rolling away and, looking north, picked out the Wembley arch with the London skyline softened by haze.
From Holmbury Hill: a broad balcony over the Weald, a patchwork of woods and fields running to a blue grey outline of the South Downs. The toposcope helped us name the shapes, Leith to one side, Pitch and Hascombe to the other.
To the west we could see rain marching in. That was not on the forecast. Shortly after we began the descent the rain hit and stayed with us for about half an hour. Jackets on, hoods up, keep moving. Five minutes after it stopped the sky looked like nothing had happened, classic Surrey.
We stumbled upon a hidden gem in the forest: Coffee In The Copse, where we sat down briefly to warm our bones after the shower and rest our legs.
We also tackled a hill that felt every bit like a fourth peak. Our support crew, Helen, Wendy and Zhane, met us twice, first on the descent from Leith Hill, then at Ranmore Common, which was effectively that fourth peak. They arrived with supplies, laughter, and the kind of encouragement that puts fuel back in the tank.
Hero of the day
Toddy, Duncan’s trusted companion and our unofficial mascot, made it his mission to sprint between us and check everyone was fine. I am convinced he ran Box Hill twice checking that we were all ok.
At the stepping stones on the River Mole, the final hurdle before the last climb, the water was about an inch too high and seeped through my boots a little. Perfect timing for the closing effort. Then up we went, Box Hill last, the legs burning, the jokes getting worse, and the day wrapping perfectly about ten yards from the bar at the Burford Bridge Hotel, which was very welcome.
We finished, cheered, hobbled, then in the evening we headed straight for dinner and a well earned drink with the team and our support crew. Stories were told, steps were compared, and Toddy sat under the table enjoying the bits of food that he was affectionately being passed.
On the morning of 26 October 2025 we celebrated with a reward breakfast at Ryka’s. Hot coffee, proper plates, the world set to rights.
Why we walked
We did this for X-4RCE CIC, a Luton based community interest company that delivers free peer support groups, one to ones, fitness sessions, talks and workshops for men. Our goal is to help put the Big Orange Bus on the road, a Ford Transit in LTFC colours, fitted out as a welcoming mobile drop in centre that takes help directly to the places it is needed most.
The day by the numbers
Thank you and one last ask
To everyone who backed us already, thank you. Your support carried us up every climb and through every soggy step. If you have not donated yet and would like to help put that bus on the road, please donate what you can here: gofund.me
Every pound gets us closer to seeing the Big Orange Bus parked in Luton, doors open, kettle on, conversations happening.
