8 million steps challenge
This year I’m attempting to walk 8 million steps.
Any money I raise will go to Crisis, the national charity for people experiencing homelessness. The ongoing cost of living crisis has led to a 26% increase in homelessness this year alone.
In one of the richest countries on earth there are people who sleep on the streets.
Charity begins at home
This issue really highlights the disgusting levels of inequality that exist in society.
I moved to London in 2009. And sure, there were homeless people then too. But not like this. Now it is a daily occurrence to see people far beyond what I would call struggling, visibly in distress.
Those in charge have even tried to restrict the use of tents on our streets and described rough sleeping as a “lifestyle choice”.
The walk of shame
Sometimes I give these people money, most of the time I just walk on by, thankful that I’m not in their situation - purely on the luck of our given circumstances.
The common expectation is that these individuals will just spend the money on drink and drugs. But I never understood this reasoning for not giving. The pure misery of sleeping rough night after night would drive anyone to look for an escape. Plus, what are they meant to spend the money on, flat screen TV’s?
I’m aiming to raise £2,000 (more if possible: please give generously). That works out to be £1 for every 4,000 steps, which seems like good motivation.
Although it does seem a ludicrous target. Especially so given that I only know about twelve people and don’t use social media.
Hitting the streets
Why now? Well, it’s a leap year, so I’ve got an extra 24 hours to get the steps in.
How hard can it be? After walking 500 miles the proclaimers were more than happy to do 500 more.
Seriously though, I know it can be done. I remember reading about a guy who completed a marathon every day for a year. That would be significantly more steps than this. There’s probably people working in retail who do this without even thinking about it.
The question is not can it be done. The question is can it be done by me? And not by 18-year-old, all the time in the world me. But by 38-year-old, working full time and also raising a 4-year-old me.
The challenge
I can’t deny a big part of doing this is the challenge, not the charity. I want to push myself and see if I can do it. I cannot control the results, only the effort I put in.
A study of 2,000 adults found they each typically stroll 6,839 steps a day – amounting to just under 2.5 million steps a year.
To hit 8 million I’ll need to do 21,858 steps a day, every day, for a year.
On average, I walk about 7.5k steps an hour. So, to complete this task I’d need to walk for more than 1,000 hours this year. But maybe it’s best to approach it with that Google maps ‘it says 20 minutes but I’ll do it in 10’ type optimism.
A step in the right direction
Realistically, do I think I can walk 8 million steps in a year?
No.
But do I think I can do it with the love and support of my family and friends?
Still no.
But, I’m going to try. Sitting on my arse hasn’t achieved anything.
I hear that a journey of thousand miles begins with a single step.
8 million steps. Fuck me.
I better get started…
To donate please visit my GoFundMe page