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