Race to the Stones Local Charity 2027
We are proud to introduce Doorway as our local partner for Race to the Stones 2027, read below to find out more about how Doorway support those facing homelessness in and around Wiltshire:
We believe that homeless and marginalized people are capable of change and can achieve their full potential when offered a safe, supportive, empowering and non-judgmental environment.
We work hard to improve the chances of people finding stable long-term accommodation, to prevent loss of accommodation, and to signpost to other places of support.
We provide immediate support including hot food, a shower, clean clothes, phone and internet access, and longer-term support by making referrals to other organisations to access statutory support and physical and mental health services.
We serve 300+ people per year. In October to December 2025 alone 105 unique individuals accessed our drop-in sessions of whom 52% had been rough sleeping or sofa surfing the previous night.
Who We Help
When ‘N’ first walked through Doorway’s doors in the winter of 2023, he arrived exactly as he had lived for years: carrying everything he owned in a battered trolley, wearing his flat‑peak hat and keeping the world at a careful distance. He had been rough sleeping and someone in town had mentioned that Doorway offered a hot lunch on Thursdays. So, he came quietly, cautiously and sat down for a meal. That first visit was the beginning of something none of us could have predicted. N told us, slowly over time, that he didn’t expect to belong anywhere again. But something shifted in Chippenham and N started coming to every Doorway session. He used the showers and the laundry and he ate the meals. His stays grew longer and slowly, gently, trust began to grow. With support, he attended his first GP appointment since the 1980s. He built friendships, not just with us, but with people in the local community. For the first time in years, he wasn’t just passing through, he was part of something. Eventually, N agreed to speak to housing and now, after years of walking, years of sleeping outside, years of believing he didn’t belong anywhere, N has moved into a Housing‑Led project. He has a flat and he is working through the steps to join the housing register. He is beginning to imagine a “forever home.” N still comes to Doorway every week, he still tells stories, he still wears his flat‑peak hat.
We encourage our guests to engage in our social activities designed to build skills and self-confidence as preparation for moving including music, art and sport.
Race to the King Local Charity 2027
Our local charity partner for Race to the King in 2027 is St Wilfrid’s Hospice, supporting people who have life limiting illnesses or who are in the last phase of their lives, read more about the support they provide below:
St Wilfrid’s Hospice is proud to be the local charity partner of Race to the King, and we would be incredibly grateful if you chose to support our Hospice as you take on this extraordinary challenge.
Every day, we provide expert palliative and end of life care to people across our community, completely free of charge. However, our care extends far beyond our 14-bed Impatient Unit. Each month, we support around 350 patients in the comfort of their own homes, helping them maintain independence, dignity, and quality of life for as long as possible.
We are there from the moment a person is diagnosed with a life-limiting illness, offering specialist clinical care, emotional support, therapeutic activities, and wellbeing services tailored to their individual needs. We also support the people around them, providing guidance, counselling, and bereavement care for family members and friends throughout their journey and beyond.
It costs £10.5 million each year to keep St Wilfrid’s Hospice open. With just 16% of our funding coming from the NHS, we rely heavily on the generosity of our local community, supporters, and fundraisers to continue delivering our vital services.
By taking part in Race to the King and choosing to support St Wilfrid’s Hospice, you can make a lasting difference to the lives of local people facing the most challenging of circumstances. Every mile you take on and every pound you raise helps ensure that compassionate, specialist care is there for those who need it.
