I am pleased to have been able to keep going as I had a slight heel injury that has not only caused some discomfort but also given me yet another nick-name? Wayne Sleep due to the way I have been walking.

I must as ever thank the following people and companies.

Martin Page
The supporters who attended the Cambridge United V Portsmouth fixture and donated
Paul Bullman
Phil Murray
Ben Strang
Nigel & Genny Browne
Joe Worth
Stuart
Adcocks Ltd
A.R.Aspinall
A2B Taxi cabs
And finally the anonymous donations
​
I really cannot thank you all enough every penny really does count and please keep telling people about this challenge and encourage people to donate as I know it will help others who at times will feel they have nowhere to turn-to .
 
Thanks again
Ian Darler B.E.M

6th January 2022 has been a special day as the £10.000 target was reached.

I have currently now covered 1.290.691 steps and if you convert that to miles based on each step being a yard we have covered 700 miles.

It is the generosity of everybody who has very kindly donated that has kept me going over the past weeks and I really thank you all for your support and these funds are essential for SHOUT 85258.

SHOUT 85258 is a charity which has become close to my heart as this challenge has really helped people to talk and many of these people had not spoken about their mental health problems before and I believe the work they undertake is essential for people of all ages who find life’s challenges too much at times.

This challenge started as I had a friend who took his own life in 2021 and as I have mentioned before following the publication of my book Life’s A Pitch in 2019 I have also had several people come forward to speak to me who were really struggling with their mental health.

I am planning on continuing the walk as the donations are still coming in and I still look at it that every penny donated really does make a difference and will continue to support SHOUT but it is also some of the comments that have been submitted with the donations that has made me decide to keep walking.

Please continue to tell people about the challenge and keep talking.
 
As it says on the SHOUT 85258 shirt, TAKE EACH DAY AS IT COMES.
 
Thanks again everybody
 
Ian Darler B.E.M 

Million step challenge week 12

The Christmas period has seen another 105,934 steps added to the total steps which now stands at 1,215,511

Things returned back to normal at work on the 31st December and the steps increased as we started to prepare the Abbey stadium playing surface for the fixture against Portsmouth. This fixture could also help with the donations as the football club have very kindly agreed to allow a bucket collection at the turnstiles.

We will be using a play on words (A SMALL CHANGE CAN HELP MENTAL HEALTH) we are hopeful that supporters will bring their unwanted small change that has been sitting around the house in a draw, a jar, or down the back of the sofa, every penny really does count and could help those who are suffering with their mental health and could save a life. The challenge has currently raised £8,440 which will already help SHOUT 85258.

Mick and I have been into the stadium most days over the Christmas period to move the pitch grow lights to ensure we can provide the team with the best surface we can as we enter the most challenging time of the season for the pitch. It has been a strange Christmas for me as I think it is only the second time in 40 plus years that I have not had a game to prepare for during the festive period.

The donations have continued to rise and there have been some heart-warming comments from the people making the donations.

One of the most rewarding things about the million step challenge has been the affect it has had on a number of people who have spoken about their challenges in life for the first time and the effect certain media events have had on them.

 WHAT PRICE DO YOU PUT ON THAT? I did not expect this reaction when we started the challenge but it has given me the opportunity to reflect on how I felt when I was struggling and more importantly the copping strategies I was given at the time.

It is very easy for people to say that it is important to try to have a balance within your lifestyle and there will be people who say DREAM ON MATE I cannot do that? But it is very important to try to have work time, family/friend time, social time, along with time to exercise and in some form add to this trying to eat a healthy diet.  I know this is not possible for everybody but just having 2-3 of these things can make a difference to your wellbeing.

I no longer worry about things I cannot change?
​
I very seldom listen to any national news on the TV as it is generally depressing and again in most cases I cannot do anything about the topic of discussion and let’s be honest if the producer and editor took out the words COULD, MAY, POSSIBLY they would be limited on any actual facts? What is quite clear is that the people responsible for the national news programs do not appreciate the effect it has on people suffering with their mental health. With the estimated number of 1 in 4 people suffering with some form of mental health problem they in my opinion really should wake up to the effects they have on certain elements of their viewing public. The positive stories are very limited which is a shame as good positive light hearted stories really can help give people a lift. Take a look at the Steph McGovern programme Steph’s packed lunch, it’s light hearted but often deals with problems people have to deal with day to day and in most cases has a positive outcome but more importantly is always uplifting. I guess what I am saying is watch programs that give you a lift not programs that can drag you down.

I must thank everybody who have again been generous in donating over the past few days and for the very kind words posted with some of the donations, special thanks to my Norwegian friends who made a very generous donation.

Cambridge Foot Golf
Biscuit
Robert
Elisse
The Pearsons
Terry Fisher
Carole J
Fredagskaffen med Ole, Roger og Jens

Thanks for your support keep talking and offer help to those who may be lonely.
​
Ian Darler B.E.M

I did still manage to complete another 75,625 steps taking the total now covered 1089577 
But what a nice surprise it was when an old football friend turned up to walk a few steps with me,   Derrick Christie still looking very fit and fashionable joined me. It was great to see Derrick we have known each other over 40 years he is always upbeat has never stopped smiling!

CHRISTMAS THOUGHTS
Christmas is approaching and can be a joyful time for many families but can also be a challenging time for many for all sorts of reasons and they may reach out for help.  Giving genuine encouragement to others provides reassurance and support and lets people know you are there to listen and not judge
I must again thank everybody who has continued to make donations towards the challenge for which I am very grateful.
Marion Golding
Dan
Roger Latham
Andrew Hodgson
Paul Harrison
Carl Badder’s Badcock
North Terrace Supporters
A & R
Big Nose
Andrew, Michele, & Jack
And not forgetting the anonymous donations
 
I wish everybody a Merry Christmas and healthy New Year, keep talking and be there for others.

The past ten days has seen another 159,040 steps added to the grand total that now stands at 1,013,952 and confirms that the million step target has been reached, however the challenge is not due to finish until the Cambridge United v Portsmouth fixture in January so the step target has been increased by another 250,000 steps in the hope that the ten thousand pound target can be reached.

The past 10 days have been very busy with a small walk in the mornings before I head off to work to enable me to get some early steps in the bag!
I took my wife and daughter to visit Wimpole Hall on a cold damp evening to explore the winter wonderland which again helped rack up the steps.

I cannot start to imagine what effect this has on people suffering with this disorder who before going out for a meal have to make a decision based on the menu.

This week has also seen the donations total increase to £7276.00 leaving £2724.00 to hit the £10,000 target.

Thanks to the following companies and individuals and anonymous donations I am very grateful to you all.
Troy Farthing
Camclad Ltd
Giac , Enzo ,Tony
Chris D
Mark Green
Andy Pickard
Simon Lankester
Angling Friend
Neil Rowe
BBC Cambs Friday Night Sports Team
WVC
Emma, Rob, Ollie & Ben Smith
Anonymous Walkers
Charity walker
Donna & Paul Premier Event catering
Nikki Summers-Morris
 
Again thanks to every single person who has supported this challenge as every penny really does count and as I have previously said your donation will help somebody and could save a life.
Please spread the word
 
Ian Darler B.E.M

Week nine has seen another 92204 steps added to the grand total that now stands at 854.912
 
We have now made the decision to invite people to join the million step challenge on Sunday 12th December for a gentle stroll along the river Cam. People can meet us at the start of the venue or join in on route and everybody is welcome to come along. Please note that neither Cambridge United FC nor Ian Darler can accept any liability for injury or loss on the walk.

We will be taking photos and hope that we will hit the 1 million steps on route with the step challenge then being increased to 1.250 million steps to target before the Portsmouth fixture on the 3rd January 2022
The starting point for the walk will be at Cambridge United Fc, The Abbey Stadium, Parking will be available in the rear carpark along Cut Throat Lane meeting at 9.30am - 9.45 am departing at 10am

Departing at 10am from the Abbey Stadium following the route below with a distance of approximately 2.5 miles each way. .

Garlic Row
Stanley Road
Riverside to pass under Elizabeth Way Bridge
Continue under Victoria Avenue Bridge to Jesus Lock
Crossing over the water fall bridge at Jesus Lock on to Chesterton Road
 To Northampton Street then
Queens Road to the back of Kings College at West Road
 
Return walk
Queens Road to Northampton Street turning right and crossing over Magdalene Bridge
Turning left to Quayside and on to Jesus Green to Midsummer Common
Then picking up the River Cam back under Elizabeth Way Bridge
To Stourbridge Common and return to the Abbey Stadium.
 
This week has again seen people contact me with their own mental health challenges and I know I have said this several times before but these people again are not people you would expect to have had mental health problems which again shows the importance of talking if you are struggling and likewise the importance of asking people if they are okay.
This challenge is not just about raising funds for SHOUT 85258 although that is very important but equally it is about getting people to talk freely if they are struggling without feeling embarrassed or worried that people will think they are weak, Suffering in silence really does just make things more difficult and I really do know how difficult it is to ask for help or confide in somebody.
 
This week has seen one of the best weeks for donations from both companies and individuals taking the total raised to £6022

Thanks to the following companies & individuals

Cambridge United Hall of Fame
WVC
Liam Chapman
Danno
John Cobb & Sons Ltd
Peter Houghton
Breckland Industrial Ltd
The Vickers
Andy Beattie
L.Weston
The angling friend  
 
Whilst thanking the people above we would like to say thank you to Cambridge United FC for allowing a collection to take place at the Portsmouth fixture on the 3rd January 2022.

A Small change can make a difference to your health and that is why we hope to target the small change that people have lying about in their home. Coins in that drawer that jar, that bottle?

Small change 1p, 2p 5p, 10p, 20p etc. etc.  that just sits there for months could save a life.

We will provide bins at the turnstiles for change to be placed in to.

Just think if you can just find £1 in small change and donate it what a difference it could make? With an expected crowd of 6000-7000 people attending the fixture this would be a serious amount of money for mental health.

Thanks again for your continued support and I hope to see some of you on Sunday 12th December 2021 for a stroll along the River Cam.
 
Please keep donationing and talking.
 
Ian Darler B.E.M
Cambridge Charity Fund Raisers

Thankfully as this week has progressed I have felt fitter and now back to full strength so the step total has progressed quite well with another 107.554 steps added to the total which currently stands at 762.154 .it was interesting to find out that my Million steps will total in the region of 503 miles.

When I was at home recovering from my two day stay in Addenbrookes it gave me the opportunity to watch the Mortimer & Whitehouse fishing series again.

Bob & Paul have managed to deliver a programme that I am sure has lifted the spirits of thousands of people across the country with their light hearted comments ,entertainment and care of the environment with the fishing thrown in but far more importantly discussing so many things relating to health. With both Bob & Paul having had serious heart conditions and Bob having open heart surgery they discuss how they felt when diagnosed and the treatment that followed but then move on during the series to talk about mental health and the importance of talking about mental health.

n series 3 episode 6 fishing on the river Wye Bob arranges for Paul and himself to talk to Dr Anand Patel from the centre for mens health.

Bob asks Dr Patel how would you suggest people tell somebody that they are struggling and the reply from the doctor was simple. Tell your doctor, family member or friend that I’ve not wanted to talk about this but I am feeling low?  
Since starting this million step challenge I have had more and more people coming forward to talk to me about what they have been through with their mental health which in itself is very rewarding as this is what the challenge is about along with raising funds for SHOUT 85258 .

I personally have no professional training on dealing with mental health and can only talk to people about what I went through personally following a serious accident and the treatment I went through but more importantly showing that you can recover and have a coping mechanism to deal with your own health. And to be honest going through depression and PTSD has made me a far better person and far more considerate and understanding along with managing my life and time in a better way. I admit that I  was a workaholic but now try to have a structure to my life , Yes I still work hard but also try to have family time , and social time either fishing or working on my charity events.  

It is strange how once people break the ice to talk about their problems it can open the floodgates this was the case on Thursday evening when the Hall Of Fame Inductions took place at Cambridge United. The organisers very kindly made the decision to donate the money raised in the heads & tails competition to my million step challenge but also asked me to speak for a few minutes about the challenge and why I was doing it. What I did not expect was at the end of the evening for two people come forward to say they had been suffering with mental health one of which mentioned they had tried to talk about their problem to people and  said they were told to just get over-it . What was nice was the person said after listening to what I said and having a chat it was the first time they had not felt alone for a very long time.

This is exactly why things have to change and people should not be afraid to talk about how they are feeling? Trust me it could save a life. 

Although the funds did not increase as much this week as I would have liked I am pleased to say that yet another company donated to show their support for mental health. So special thanks to AJW Distribution Ltd. The total now sits £4320

I have been asked by several people if I intend to undertake a walk were people can join me. And to be honest I had not really thought about it but I will now have a look for somewhere that would be suitable and that offers parking and an interesting environment and possibly set a date on a Sunday before Christmas.

Thanks again for your support and please spread the word.

Ian Darler B.E.M