At 9 nine weeks old my daughter Penny was diagnosed with Hip Dysplasia, meaning the ball and socket joint in her hip did not form properly. As a result she was forced to wear a harness for 12 weeks, fixing her legs in place to try and mould the socket correctly. Fortunately we were one of the lucky ones! and she is now out of her harness and thrashing around happily. Many others however are not so lucky and have to go through multiple surgeries and possibly are never fully healed. Complications can result in severe hip pain, full dislocation and osteoarthritis from  a very young age. As we were the lucky ones I think it's time to give back to those who are not so fortunate and have gone through similar experiences and challenges that my wife (Julie) and I have been through. 

In order to raise money for Steps, the leading charity for lower limb disorders I am going to do every fitness class every day for 7 days (30 total classes) at my gym Box Bell Fit. I think everyone that has been would agree the classes are not for the faint hearted, and will include strength and conditioning, high intensity interval training, body weight training, circuits and yoga (much needed i think!)

"We don't take walking for granted" is the tag line for Steps world wide and the ability to walk pain free and go about our daily activities is definitely something that we don't appreciate until we no longer have it. 

Steps also provide support for a whole range of lower limb disorders in children such as talipes/clubfoot. They strive for improved research and treatment into lower limb conditions and even provide grants for specially made child car seats for those in a cast, which is needed even just to take your little one to all their hospital appointments!! The charity relies completely on donations and achieves such great work with a very modest budget. 

If you could spare any money at all to go towards this fantastic cause and help those who may not have the same opportunities as us through no fault of their own, and to give them the best possible start from even just 1 day old it would be greatly appreciated!!!