A Charity Walk for Someone Special.
This October, join Miles that Matter 2026 in support of Heart Research UK, a flexible charity walk where you can raise funds in memory or celebration of someone special to you.
Miles that matter is a fundraising challenge you can do anywhere in the UK, at any time during October. You choose your distance, your route, and your pace. You can take part alone or walk with friends, family, or colleagues to create a shared day of remembrance or celebration.
Taking part in our charity walk in memory or celebration of a loved one is a meaningful way to honour their life while supporting lifesaving heart research. Whether you return to a place full of memories, walk a favourite route, or explore somewhere new, every step becomes a personal tribute and a special memory made.
Whilst there is no minimum fundraising target, all funds raised support Heart Research UK, helping to advance prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of heart diseases and support more families to stay together for longer. We just ask you raise as much as you can.
Miles that matter is open to all ages and abilities, with no entry fee. Simply sign up, set your own walking goal, and raise what you can through our JustGiving page. This inclusive walking challenge is designed so anyone can take part in a way that feels right for them.
When you sign up, you’ll get:
Fundraising rewards include:
(Rewards are only available to participants fundraising via the official JustGiving page created at registration. Heart Research UK will only recognise fundraising amounts that are attributed to a registered participant’s individual JustGiving page when determining eligibility for incentives – group pages do not qualify).
Miles that matter is more than a charity event – it’s a chance to remember someone special, support vital heart research, and help create a future where fewer families lose loved ones too soon. Sign up today.
Your Steps, Their Story, Real Impact
If you've got a question about taking part in this event, we're here to help!
Miles that matter is a fundraising challenge you can take part in anywhere in the UK during October. You decide your distance, route, and pace. You can complete it on your own or join with friends, family, or colleagues to create a shared day of remembrance or celebration.
You can complete your miles that matter at any time during October 2026 – it’s completely up to you.
We encourage participants to complete their challenge in October. However, if you need more time to plan or take part, you’re welcome to extend your challenge to another time in 2026.
Yes, absolutely, and we encourage it. You can take part with friends, family, colleagues, or any group you’re part of. Each participant will need to register individually so we can send out your fundraising pack.
We suggest you all fundraise individually via your own JustGiving page as only those with an individual fundraising page are eligible for the donation incentives.
Yes. Your welcome email contains links to a range of suggested walking routes throughout the UK.
We recommend setting up a JustGiving page to start your fundraising. All donations made through your page are automatically sent to us, and your page will close a few weeks after the challenge ends.
You can also share your page with friends, family, and colleagues, and post updates on social media or in group chats. We’ll also provide tips and resources to support you throughout your fundraising journey.
Yes. Any cash donations can be added to your JustGiving page, or you can pay them in over the phone by calling 0113 234 7474.
Anyone individual who raises £150 on their JustGiving page will receive a Heart Research UK branded bag cooler by post (UK only).
If an individual raises £300, they will also receive a Heart Research UK branded stainless steel water bottle (UK only).
There’s nothing you need to do to claim your rewards, we’ll send them automatically once you reach the relevant milestone. Please allow up to four weeks for delivery after reaching your target. If it has been longer than four weeks, please contact fundraising@heartresearch.org.uk
Coolers and water bottles will begin being sent out from October, once the challenge starts and fundraising milestones are reached.
No, Miles that matter is completely free to take part in.
When you register, you can opt in to receive a free t-shirt and select your size.
T-shirts will begin being sent out from 1st October 2026. Please allow up to 10 days for delivery.
There is no set fundraising target, you can set your own goal. However, we encourage participants to aim for £150 to receive a Heart Research UK branded cooler, or £300 to also receive a Heart Research UK branded stainless steel water bottle.
Get in touch with us and our team will be delighted to help!