A million steps for charity – Swanage three on track

Three audacious Swanage charity fundraisers have set themselves the target of ‘a million steps’ before the end of September 2021.

Lisa Bussell, Dawn Stockley and Cara Dunesby are raising money for Diabetes UK over a three month period. They hope to walk all over the Isle of Purbeck and beyond.

Advertisement 

The three friends started off on Thursday 1st July 2021 and on Sunday 4th July 2021 – American Independence Day – they decided to take Captain America (or at least his cut-out!) on a trip to Bournemouth Pier and back on the Sandbanks Ferry.

Captain America on tour
Lisa Bussell

Lisa Bussell and Dawn Stockley pose with Captain America

“Give us a wave”

Each of them will be walking one million steps over a 92 day period from 1st July to 30th September 2021. That’s the equivalent of 435 miles or the distance from Swanage to the Scottish Borders.

Lisa, who works from home for an office supplies company, said: 

“If you see us out and about toot the horn or give us a wave to cheer us on! All those things help us and drive us on to finish the miles.”

Captain America on the bus
Lisa Bussell

Taking the ferry

“Silent killer”

Lisa lost her father to diabetes at the age of just 58, twenty years ago. Dawn’s mother died this January with diabetes.

Dawn works at the Swanage Post Office and Cara is a local sports teacher. The challenge means getting up early in the morning to get the miles in.

Lisa said:

“Diabetes is one of the biggest silent killers. People often have the disease but don’t know about it. It can lead to blindness for instance and particularly affects those who are overweight.

“We thought that it had affected our family personally and it was a worthwhile cause that we wanted to get involved with.”

Captain America on tour
Lisa Bussell

On track for a million steps each before the end of September

“Who knows how far we can go”

They are raising money individually and as a group. Lisa says she has already surpassed her original goal of £300 and has nearly reached £500. They’re hoping to raise at least £1,000 as a group.

Lisa said:

“If we make that target we would be chuffed to bits and if we get the right publicity who knows how far we can go.”

To donate

If anyone would like to donate to the cause, then there’s a collection tin at Swanage Post Office or alternatively contributions can be made online via Lisa, Dawn and Cara’s fundraising website pages.

Share this story

Contact us

Do you have anything to add to this story?

We like to keep everything up-to-date, so if you know more, please help us by getting in touch.

Advertisement 

Top stories

Storm Ciarán sweeps into Swanage brushing away its flood defences Concrete blocks along Swanage seafront to protect against flooding were strewn across the road by the force of Storm Ciarán, while Studland beaches had about five years of coastal erosion ... 1 month ago BBC snubs Purbeck by filming Enid Blyton stories in Cornwall 1 week ago Polar Express magic arrives in Swanage for Christmas 3 weeks ago Crisis at Swanage Railway as £450,000 survival fund is launched 1 month ago Restaurant with perfect view of Swanage Bay to open in 2024 2 weeks ago

Most recent

Business is blooming in Swanage town centre Bucking the national trend of empty shop units, Swanage in Dorset is seeing lots more new businesses opening up in the heart of the seaside town. 23 hours ago Inspiring Christmas trees at Swanage festival 2 days ago Enchanted evenings light up Purbeck secret garden 3 days ago Swanage seafront survey result gives council splitting headache 4 days ago Plans for growth at Swanage community garden 5 days ago