WOULD you walk 500 miles?

Families are being invited to get on their walking boots and take part in the Hospice of the Good Shepherd's One Million Step Challenge – the equivalent of walking 10,000 steps a day for 100 days, a distance of about 500 miles.

The challenge will last between May 1 and August 8, and you can take part on your own, with friends or get the whole family involved.

Alison Dunbar, individual giving and digital fundraising officer, said: “With lockdown now starting to ease and many of us being stuck inside for so long, the One Million Step Challenge is a great way to start getting active again while supporting the Hospice at the same time.”

She continued: “10,000 steps a day is the recommended minimum amount to do, but we are asking to do this every single day for 100 days – totalling one million steps or about 500 miles. Absolutely anyone can get involved and we encourage you to get your family, friends and colleagues to support each other along the way!”

The event is free to enter and while there is no minimum sponsorship amount, if you do raise any money for the Hospice you will receive a special medal and certificate.

Visit www.hospiceofthegoodshepherd.com/event/one-million-steps-challenge for more information.

Simply use a Fitbit, smart watch, pedometer or smartphone to record your steps and watch the total add up.

Based in Backford, the Hospice of the Good Shepherd serves the communities of West Cheshire, Chester, Ellesmere Port, Deeside and the surrounding areas, caring for patients with life-limiting conditions and supporting bereaved families.

Its dedicated team of staff and healthcare professionals aim to meet the unique physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs of those with life-limiting conditions, and to help maintain their dignity.

It provides specialist palliative care for people with cancer and non-cancer life-limiting conditions. The Hospice offers physical, emotional and spiritual care for patients, as well as family support and bereavement services.

Less than 25 per cent of its £4 million annual running costs comes from statutory sources, - the rest comes from fundraising, donations, events and corporate partnerships. It costs approximately £11,000 a day to run the Hospice.

Since this pandemic began, Hospice of the Good Shepherd has been raising money through virtual events such as live auctions as well as their weekly lottery draw, where participants have the chance to win £1,000 for a cost of just £1 per week. Though fundraising is particularly more difficult due to Government lockdown, they are still determined to keep their Hospice afloat.

Please support their #SaveYourHospice appeal by visiting justgiving.com/campaign/saveyourhospice