Firstly, thank you for coming to this page and reading my story.

The Challenge:

I'd planned to do this step challenge back in January, whilst my dad was still around to make him proud. He sadly died on the 7th January in a Marie Curie Hospice in Penarth after battling cancer. I don't usually like to use that word when describing people's experience of cancer - but he really did battle it. He fought and it wanted to live so much till the end. He loved people, places, food, life.

Dad's death came much sooner than any of us thought. So January was a write off in terms of completing a step challenge, and despite always having lots of plans each month that has passed - the time has come! I am not putting it off any longer! This month I aim to average 20,000 steps a day. This is around nine miles each day. I like to walk - but doing this every day will be a genuine challenge both physically on my middle aged knees and weird feet, and also a challenge on my time! I have some people visiting me across a couple of weekends this month, and I will have to get out early and bank those steps.

I'd initially planned to do 25,000 steps a day - and although I sometimes do this a couple of days a week - I don't think I can do it every day! I am factoring in a day a week where I have a rest (not a full rest though) and aim to walk 8,000 steps on those days. I am eight days in to the challenge and my legs are already letting me know about it! But I can do it, right?

The month of July: -
565,000 steps
260 miles

I really hope to achieve more...

The Charities:

Marie Curie:

I am raising money for Marie Curie, who provided such wonderful care for my poorly dad in his final days and also took care of the five of us who sat by his bedside for each hour of five long days and nights.

Any kind donation you make to my fundraiser will mean that Marie Curie can provide amazing care to individuals at home or in a hospice and respect their wishes and dignity. They also care and support for families both during the illness and offer bereavement support too. The staff offered great kindness to us and what was the hardest time for us as a family.

I have chosen this charity to both honour and remember my dad, Neil Barnes - and to ensure that other people, their families (chosen or otherwise) and friends can access the same care and support that we did. Cancer has and will continue to f*** those we love the most, and I am sorry to those reading this who have lost people they love too.

Vietnam Cat Welfare:

For those of you who know me well will know how close this charity is to my heart. This charity run a Cat Rescue Centre in Hoi An, Vietnam; Jack's Cat Cafe - (namely the wonderful Emma Bolton) whose story you can read here https://vietnamcatwelfare.org/ and meet the kitties here https://vietnamcatwelfare.org/sponsorship-cats/.

Not only do they rescue cats, but fight tirelessly to address the cat meat trade that occurs in Vietnam. So many cats are stolen from their owners and shipped to Hanoi and so many are abandoned, often on the cat rescue centre door. I have visited Jack's Cat Cafe a few times and sponsor Weird Uncle Indie who is a unique and delightful character.

Any kind donation you make will make such a difference - the pound translates well to the Vietnamese Dong.

I will provide weekly updates with my step count, courtesy of my Fitbit, pictures and nice summary of what I have been listening to on my epic walks on here and the socials.

Thank you for reading till the end, your support means the world to me and any donation, however small I am very grateful for. I know times are tough.