Teri and Mandy at Six Towns Radio (6TR) with Community Voices presenter, Adam Gratton.
This August, the team at Walk Talk Action will take on one of their biggest challenges yet — walking the entire length of the Staffordshire Way in just five days to raise vital funds and awareness for mental health support across the community…
From Monday 10th August to Friday 14th August 2026, the team will attempt to complete the full 94-mile route from Stourbridge to Mow Cop. They’ll average nearly 20 miles per day and face challenging terrain, changing weather, steep climbs, rural footpaths and long hours on their feet.
More than just a walk
The idea came from one of Walk Talk Action’s Directors, Jennifer Thursfield. She wanted to set herself a challenge that pushes her outside her comfort zone.
What began as “doing the Staffordshire Way walk” quickly escalated once the true scale of the route became clear.
Ninety-four miles.
Five consecutive days.
An enormous physical and mental challenge.
But that’s exactly the point.
The challenge is not only a test of resilience and determination, it’s also a powerful metaphor. Even the toughest journeys become possible when people support one another along the way.
Indeed, the walk is a reflection of the conversations Walk Talk Action has every day with people facing their own battles. These can come in the form of anxiety, isolation, grief, depression, trauma, or simply trying to take the next step forward in life.
Teri, Jennifer and Lee, preparing for Walk Talk Action’s ambitious 94-mile Staffordshire Way challenge — an idea originally inspired by Jennifer.
Lee and Jennifer during a practice walk as preparations continue for the mammoth challenge this August.
The daunting 94-mile route from Stourbridge to Mow Cop.
Pushing yourself
To help spread the word, Walk Talk Action founder, Teri, spoke to Adam Gratton from Six Towns Radio on his Community Voices show. She explained the deeper meaning behind the challenge:
“The whole point of this is to achieve something you never thought possible. To know that you can overcome obstacles in life.
“We’d just love people to get involved. If you can just do a mile, help at a checkpoint, hand out water, sponsor us, or cheer from the side of the road. It would be amazing.”
The walk will be supported by experienced Wilderness Walk Leader, Lee Quinn. He’s been busy helping to map the route, organise logistics, and prepare the team for what lies ahead.
In fact, training walks are already underway! These include practice challenges and route testing, so the team fully aware of the scale of what they’re taking on.
Teri speaking on Six Towns Radio about the ambitious fundraiser.
Listen to the show
Below you can listen to Teri speaking on 6TR’s Community Voices show, which was aired on Friday 8th May 2026.
You can either hear the interview in full or listen specifically to the section where Teri talks about the upcoming walk.
How you can help
WTA is calling on local businesses, organisations and members of the public to help make the Staffordshire Way Walk possible.
We need support in several key areas, including:
- Sponsorship
- Welfare stations
- Water points
- Checkpoints along the route
- Accommodation support
- Food and refreshments
- Volunteers and walkers
- Businesses willing to support the challenge publicly
This is about more than completing a walk. It’s about raising vital funds to help Walk Talk Action continue supporting people struggling with their mental health.
Businesses that sponsor the challenge will help fund our work going forward. This includes ongoing community support, wellbeing programmes, events, workshops and outreach work.
Sponsors will receive visibility throughout the event, including:
- Logos displayed during the walk
- Social media mentions and promotion
- Recognition across Walk Talk Action channels
The team hopes businesses across Staffordshire and beyond will get behind the event and help turn it into a huge community effort.
One of the most important messages behind the Staffordshire Way Walk is that people can take part in whatever way works for them.
You don’t have to complete all 94 miles.
You can instead:
- Join for part of the route
- Volunteer at a checkpoint
- Help with logistics
- Sponsor the team
- Cheer walkers on
- Spread the word online
- Offer practical support along the route
Every contribution matters.
Want to get involved?
If you would like to sponsor the Staffordshire Way Walk, volunteer, walk part of the route, or offer support in any way you can, we’d love to hear from you.
Get in touch by tapping the button below to send us an email.
Do you need our help?
To find out more about how Walk Talk Action can help, you can email Teri at [email protected] Or, if you’d like to join one of our sessions, you can complete our application form.
