1200 sign up - and it's this Sunday Beachy Head Lighthouse Challenge 2026

MORE than 1200 people have already signed up for this Sunday's annual Beachy Head Lighthouse Challenge - and there's still time to take part.

The Challenge is organised each year by the Eastbourne AM Rotary Club and has proved very popular.

The date this year is Sunday June 14 from 4pm.

Organiser Martin Wellings said: "We are expecting a bumper turnout this weekend. The weather forecast is excellent, and  I really do urge you to book and take part in what is a thrilling experience.

"It really is a unique event. It essentially involves a marshalled walk to and around the Beachy Head Lighthouse, which is only possible on certain days of the year."

The arrival point is by the kiosk at the foot of the Downs adjacent to Bedes. From here participants walk to the check-in area at Whitbread Hollow before setting off across the Downs to Cow Gap, down the steps to the beach and then over rocks, boulders, sand and slippery seaweed to the lighthouse.

On return, all participants receive a certificate to authenticate that they are one of a select group of people who have undertaken the Lighthouse Challenge!

There is a modest entry fee with all proceeds used for local charitable purposes, including donations for the club’s regular beneficiaries, RNLI (Eastbourne) and others.

For the first time this year a key charity has been nominated to receive a special donation, and this will be St Wilfrid’s Hospice which continues to provide wonderful care to residents of Eastbourne, Hailsham, Heathfield, Uckfield, Seaford and everywhere in between.

Full information, including the booking process via Ticket Tailor, can be found at www.eastbourneam.org