Local businesses are being encouraged to swap the office for the outdoors this October as Andover’s popular charity netwalking event returns for Step into Autumn.
The event is organised by Chloë Pearce from Richard Pearce Wealth Management and Peta Green from Howden Andover, two local businesswomen who wanted to create a different kind of networking event, one that brings Andover’s business community together while encouraging people to get outside, support their wellbeing and raise money for causes that make a difference locally.
What started as a simple idea has now grown into a regular series of seasonal netwalks, bringing together business owners and professionals from across the Andover area.
The previous three events:
- Festive Footsteps
- Step Into Spring
- Step Into Summer
Raised more than £500 for Hampshire Hospitals Charity, while giving local businesses the opportunity to build relationships away from the traditional networking environment.
Now, for Step into Autumn, Chloë and Peta have chosen to support a cause particularly close to the Andover community: Jamie G Sporting Trust.
The Trust was established by the family and friends of Jamie Gentleman, a talented young sportsman from Andover who sadly passed away shortly before his 14th birthday in 2009.
Determined to create something positive from an unimaginable loss, Jamie’s family and friends created the Trust to keep his spirit and love of sport alive by helping other young people in the Andover area experience the enjoyment, friendships and opportunities that sport can provide.
Since 2009, the charity has raised more than £150,000 to support local sport, providing grants towards equipment and kit, supporting coaches working with young people and helping increase opportunities for under-18s to get active.
Chloë said:
“Peta and I both work for local Andover businesses and we see first-hand how special the business community here is. We wanted to create something that wasn’t just about exchanging business cards, but about bringing people together in a way that feels good too.
“There is something completely different about having a conversation while you’re walking outside. People relax, conversations happen naturally and you come away feeling like you’ve genuinely got to know somebody.
“We’re incredibly proud that our first three events raised more than £500 for Hampshire Hospitals Charity, and it felt really important that the next chapter continued to support something local.
“Jamie G Sporting Trust represents so much of what we love about Andover, a community coming together and turning something incredibly difficult into something positive for the next generation. Knowing the money we raise could help a local child access sport, join a team, build friendships or simply discover something they love makes Step into Autumn feel particularly special.”
Step Into Autumn will take place on Wednesday 7 October, from 10am until 12pm, at Rooksbury Mill Local Nature Reserve in Andover.
The morning will include a relaxed walk around the nature reserve with plenty of opportunity to meet and talk to other local businesspeople. Well-behaved dogs are also welcome on leads.
And keeping the event firmly rooted in supporting local businesses, Amerleys Coffee Box will also be joining us!
Amerleys was started by local young entrepreneur Amerley Saville when she was just 21. Having worked in the coffee industry since she was 17 and dreamed of having a business of her own, Amerley transformed a converted horse box into her own mobile coffee business. Today, Amerleys has become a familiar sight locally and even uses coffee beans roasted nearby in Ludgershall.
Attendees will be able to grab a coffee from Amerleys halt way through the walk.
The event is free to book, with walkers encouraged to make a minimum £5 donation to Jamie G Sporting Trust on the day, payable by cash or card.
Whether someone runs their own business, works for a local company or simply wants to meet more people within Andover’s business community, Chloë and Peta are encouraging them to come along.
Event details
Wednesday 7 October 2026
10am–12pm
Rooksbury Mill Local Nature Reserve, Barlows Lane, Andover
Free to book
Minimum £5 donation encouraged in support of Jamie G Sporting Trust
Amerleys Coffee Box will be attending
Well-behaved dogs welcome on leads
Places can be booked through Eventbrite:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/step-into-autumn-tickets-1994543097095