Friends of Swanage dancer Alistair Moss are being urged to join a walk in his memory from Bournemouth to Worth Matravers in Dorset, while also raising money for mental health charities.
Alistair died following a car crash on Wareham Road at Holton Heath, on Sunday 1st of June 2025 – and on the eve of the first anniversary, his close friend Harry Sullivan will be marking the sad occasion with a special event.
Alistair and Harry took a holiday in the Mediterranean in April 2025
Raising funds for worthy charities
On Sunday 31st May 2026, Harry will be making an 18 mile walk from Bournemouth Pier to Woodhenge at Worth Matravers, revisiting some of Alistair’s favourite places and raising funds for two worthy causes.
Money collected on the day and on Harry’s Go fund me page – which already has pledges of more than £1,000 – will go towards Dorset Mind and re.Defined, both charities which help those suffering from mental health challenges.
After walking along the beach to Sandbanks, Harry will cross over to Studland and take the beach route to Old Harry Rocks before following the South West Coast Path to Sheps Hollow and climbing down onto the Swanage sand.
It was along Swanage Beach that Alistair worked as a deckchair attendant, and he performed at The Mowlem with the Ranger School of Dance and drank with friends at the Cellar Bar.
Harry Sullivan’s walk for Alistair Moss will include sentimental stops, such as the Cellar Bar
“The route chosen is very sentimental”
Harry Sullivan said:
“Although Alistair was not a fan of walks and would complain whenever we dragged him on one, I want to do this walk in memory of him and to raise money for mental health charities that support men across Dorset.
“I came up with the idea a few months ago and made sure that his family were happy, as the route that I have chosen is very sentimental and will cover some of the walks that we took with Ali, and passing places that meant a lot to him.
“From Swanage, I will walk through town towards the downs, where I will head for Durlston and along the coastline to join Priests Way, another walk we used to drag Alistair on with the promise of food at the end.
“I will then stay on Priests Way until I get to Worth Matravers, where I will finish my walk at Woodhenge in time for sunset, as this was Alistair’s favourite place to watch the sun go down.”
The memorial walk will finish at Woodhenge, Worth Matravers, at sunset
“So many men suffer in silence”
Harry added:
“I will be joined by some of Alistair’s friends and family for periods of my walk, and I welcome anyone that wants to join me at Woodhenge to watch the sunset and raise a drink to Ali.
“Any donation amount would be greatly appreciated – I hope that with extra funding more men in Dorset will be able to access support for their mental health.
“So many men suffer in silence and feel so alone with their thoughts and feelings, but organisations such as Dorset Mind and re.Defined are fighting to change that.
“In Alistair’s memory, I hope that more men feel able to speak up and talk about their mental health, because no life should be lost because they felt unable to do that. If this walk can make even a little difference, and makes someone think they should talk about how they feel, that will be great.”
Alistair loved his dance and being beside the water
Appeared on stage as a one eyed pirate
Alistair, who was just 22 years old when he died, was an apprentice at Volvo where he had been training as a mechanic. He had two cars of his own, Fred the Ford Fiesta and Sapphire the Audi TT, which he took great pride in, regularly competing in car trials.
He always took the week off work for Swanage Carnival so that he could help out with deckchairs on the beach – ending the summer with a perfect tan – but was probably best known in town for his dance skills.
Alistair trained in ballet and jazz from the age of three, performing in several shows in Swanage with the Ranger School of Dance and studying dance at Bournemouth and Poole College.
Although he suffered a number of ankle injuries which set his training back, Alistair still managed to earn a distinction in his Grade 6 ballet exam, along with praise for his perseverance.
His final show with the Ranger School of Dance was Showtime in 2024, when he got to fulfil one of his childhood dreams and appear on stage at The Mowlem as a one eyed pirate.
Alistair was a student at the Ranger School of Dance from the age of three
“His best quality was himself”
Caroline McCrory, of the Ranger School of Dance, said:
“Alistair arrived as a tiny, skinny little boy who came to ballet to help his hyper mobility and strengthen his ankles, and became a beautiful, strong, artistic dancer.
“He had the deepest demi plie I have ever seen, and an amazing turnout, but his best quality was himself. I can’t remember a class or rehearsal where Alistair didn’t give everything to that moment and to the people around him, he was totally committed to his dancing and to the school.
“Alistair’s incredible supportive family were behind him every step of the way and the joy and pride they all openly felt when watching him perform was always so wonderful to witness and share.
“Even when exhausted from working all day at the garage in Poole, rushing home to shower, and sometimes not having time to eat to get to rehearsals, he’d still make time to help me clear up at whatever ungodly hour it was and never, ever complained or said he was tired.”
Caroline McCrory paid tribute to Alistair, a very special friend
“Such a pleasure to watch”
Caroline added:
“When he attained Distinction for his Grade 6 Ballet exam, he had to work that much harder than most because all too frequently he’d land from a jump and one of his ankles would give way. He’d then have to take time out to heal and start all over again, many times, but he still persevered.
“People would go out of their way after a show or performance to ask me about Alistair. His natural love for dancing touched an audience, which made him such a pleasure to watch and clearly left a lasting impression!
“I also really enjoyed watching him later develop his skills in partner work as well, he was so keen and open to try new things which made him both a choreographer’s and a partner’s dream to work with!
“Alistair also became a very special friend to me and I can’t find the words to express how much I will miss him. He will forever be cherished at the Ranger School of Dance.”
Alistair Moss as everyone remembers him – with a huge smile on his face!
Training sessions for schools
One of the chosen charities for the walk, Dorset Mind provides mental health support, education, and advocacy across Purbeck, working to reduce stigma and helping people recover from mental health challenges through counselling, support groups, and befriending.
The organisation also holds training sessions for schools and workplaces, empowers individuals to build resilience and offers both group and one to one support to help people achieve positive mental well-being and stability.
The other charity, re.Defined, has a group in Wimborne run by one of Alistair’s teachers from The Purbeck School. It is a free wellbeing community that offers men a platform to prioritise their mental health through exercise, communication and connections.
It aims to provide men with an opportunity to begin each day with intention and to gain clarity for personal growth and self improvement.
Alistair was ‘the most loyal, caring friend’ to so many in Swanage
“He brought so much love and joy”
Harry Sullivan said:
“I am so lucky to have had Ali as one of my closest friends, he was the most loyal, caring, friend that anyone could ask for. He brought so much love and joy into everyone’s lives, and would never fail to make me laugh.
“I am so grateful to have shared so many wonderful memories with him, including going to Majorca with Ali in April 2025 for his first holiday abroad!
“He was a bit nervous about flying and hadn’t been outside Dorset before. It was a bit outside his comfort zone, but he absolutely loved it and was excited to tell us about visiting other places like Italy and Nurburgring in Germany for the racing.
“We went on a good few walks together, especially along Priests Way and Swanage beach. It would be great if people who knew Alistair joined me, my partner Jasmine, and Steve, the fiance of Alistair’s sister, for different sections of the memorial walk.
“Our original goal was to raise £1,000 for charity, but we surpassed that within 10 days, so anything extra we can get will be a bonus!”
Harry and Alistair enjoyed a holiday in Majorca in April 2025
Mental health support in Swanage
The Welcome Lounge at the Focus Centre in Swanage offers free mental health and wellbeing support without an appointment on Mondays between 10 am and 4 pm.
The Focus Centre (formerly the day centre) is next to Chapel Lane just off Swanage High Street.
Further information
- Donations can be made at Harry’s GoFundMe page
- Find out more about Dorset Mind on its website
- Visit the website of re.Defined to read about its mission
- More about Access Wellbeing at the Focus Centre
