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.
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.
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.”
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.”
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.
