Determined duo’s million steps challenge

A determined duo walked a million steps in a month to raise money to support hospital staff.

Danielle Brind and Ruth McGuire defied their disabilities to complete the challenge in aid of East Kent Hospitals Charity.

Danielle, a team leader with East Kent Hospitals’ people and culture service desk, has multiple sclerosis (MS), while Ruth, who works on the people and culture helpline, has fibromyalgia.

Initially they were joined by two other colleagues but only Danielle and Ruth completed the whole challenge.

Ruth said: “I’m super proud to have finished – we were both too stubborn to give up.

“We completed a million steps during the month, and finished day 31 on more than 400 miles, and having raised almost £700 for the amazing wellbeing team.

“We are very grateful to everyone who sponsored us and cheered us on as we completed almost 19 marathons in 31 days.”

Danielle added: “It was definitely a challenge and at times it was really hard, but overall we saw a lot of benefits for our own health and wellbeing.

“We were delighted to beat our fundraising target and I know the money will make a difference to supporting staff across the Trust.”

Danielle has previously walked 100,000 kilometres in a week and completed a sky dive, and decided on the million steps challenge as her latest fundraiser.

The pair completed early-morning walks before work to get their steps in, and had to complete a half marathon every single day to meet their target.

Ruth, 22, was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in 2018 and it affects her memory, her eyes, and she experiences pain in her joints and muscles.

She said: “Sometimes I can’t get up and take a single step, but I was determined to complete this and we have both seen health benefits from the challenge, both physical and mental.”

Danielle, 31, also suffers with pain and fatigue caused by her MS, and at one point lost the vision in one eye, although it thankfully returned. She was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS, which means she suffers episodes where symptoms worsen, followed by times when they slowly improve.

She said: “I started walking during lockdown, often getting up very early in the morning, and it really benefited my mental health as well as my physical health.

“I want to show people that having MS doesn’t mean you can’t do anything. When I was diagnosed I thought I would have to be in a wheelchair, and although that may come in the future, for now I can still keep fit and active and I’m determined to stay that way for as long as I can.”

You can add to their fundraising at https://ekhcharity.enthuse.com/pf/1millionsteps