Friends complete nearly two millions steps in aid of Warwick-based charity

A group of friends have collectively walked nearly two millions steps for a fundraiser in aid of a Warwick-based charity.

Laura Creane, who is from Warwick and works at Mid Counties Co-Op, has volunteered for the charity Safeline for over a year.

Safeline helps and supports those affected by sexual abuse and rape.

Laura felt compelled to take the 'Steps4Safeline' challenge after hearing that funds from Safeline’s community and corporate fundraising have dramatically dropped since the end of March, due to Covid-19.

She was joined by her friends Bryony Weston, Kirsty Hawkin, Helen Winn and Zoe Sharp, who together aimed to walk 1.5 million steps - 760 miles - during November.

They are all from the Warwickshire area but Zoe recently relocated to Dorset, which is where she completed all her steps.

In the space of a month, the friends managed to walk 1,927,506 steps.

They have also raised £860 for Safeline through their efforts.

Laura said: "I am training to be a counsellor and the work that Safeline do is close to my heart.

"I would love one day to make a real difference and with the media putting sexual abuse cases under the spot light with stories coming forwards, this has driven me to help where ever possible.

"Not everyone has a voice and they may sometimes struggle to deal with the pain and that’s where Safeline step in."

Speaking about the challenge Helen said: "This challenge has been an eye opener for me.

"I hadn’t realised how much lockdown had effected how active I am and counting my steps each day and setting a goal has helped get me out and moving.

"It has also opened my eyes up to what an amazing charity this is and the fantastic support it offers people especially at this very difficult time."

Kirsty added: "This challenge has been perfect for me personally giving me the motivation to get out and moving especially during the second lockdown.

"It has been amazing for my own mental and physical health.

"But more importantly doing this for such an amazing charity and vital resource is what it’s all about. I see first hand at work the range of excellent support this charity provides to adults and children, I hope that by raising money can give more people access to this service when they need it most."

Bryony said: "In lockdown it's been really easy to just sit at home watching telly or sit at a desk working for hours but having a goal each day has meant I've had to get up and out.

"My stamina and aerobic fitness have improved, I've been catching up with friends on walks and I'm raising money to help those in need. Win, win and major win."

Zoe said: "I have enjoyed this challenge and of course it’s helped raise money for such an amazing charity.

"Its been so good for me, not just for my physical health but my mental health too.

"Having space to just clear my head and breathe and chat to people has been so lovely especially on these dark lockdown nights."

A spokesperson from Safeline said: "A huge thank you to Laura, Bryony, Kirsty, Helen and Zoe who did amazingly well in smashing their 1.5 million Steps4Safeline – they managed the most fantastic amount of 1,927,506 steps and raised an amazing £860, which really is outstanding during these very difficult times.

"This has been a great way of raising awareness of the much needed work that Safeline does as well as raise funds to keep our services going as well as helping with their own health and well being where they have enjoyed getting out and about round their local areas taking in the sights while supporting a charity.

"A massive thank you to them all for completing this huge challenge and raising such a brilliant amount of money."

To donate go to: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/steps4safeline