The walk continues and we have clocked up a few thousand more steps so we have passed the 1.5 million steps taking the distance covered to over 860 miles.

We hope to have some more news about the ongoing challenge in the next few weeks.
I again must thank the generosity of the sponsors who have continued to donate.

Acorn Architectural Ironmongery Ltd
Stadium Grow Lights SGL
Stewart Jeffs
And the anonymous donation.
 
Total currently raised stands at £11.798
Finally I must thank Dave Matthews–Jones & Carl Badcock for all their support

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
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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?
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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.
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Ian Darler B.E.M