Get involved in our awesome ‘Step into Christmas’ festive fundraiser so we can get even more young people on the water in 2026.

Ready to get started? Just click the orange 'Start fundraising' button on this page, set your fundraising target and personalise your page.

The month-long step challenge runs for the whole of November and gives you the chance to choose your challenge to raise vital funds. Take it on yourself or get your family, friends and colleagues involved too!

Set your daily target

What level of challenge do you want to undertake? Remember, you can change your target at any time over the month. What’s more important than your daily step count is you feel suitably challenged and inspired to raise money.

Get stepping

When 1 November rolls around it’s time to get out and hit the pavement! Or put into action whatever your planning to do every day for the next 30.

All fundraisers will receive a commemorative Christmas tree ornament upon completing the Step Into Christmas challenge.

Top tips to safely smash your challenge:

Create a challenge buzz

To raise money, you need to keep people engaged for the whole month. We can help!

When you create your Just Giving page, you will be sent a 'bingo' sheet with 30 items to snap pictures of on each day to share with your followers (and tagging @EMCTrust across social media). Things like the local town Christmas tree, a festive scene, an autumn tree, etc.

You will also get access to milestone badges you can use to celebrate hitting certain days of the challenge and fundraising milestones (such as 'I've raised £50, £100, £250, £500 for Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust').

Keep that buzz going is going to be key to your fundraising, so make it fun!

Stay safe on short, dark days

We want you to have the best time getting your steps in over November, but it's important during the shorter days you stay aware of your surroundings and only walk where you feel safe. Follow the tips below to stay safe:

- Plan your route before you leave home and never walk somewhere you don't feel safe.

- Stick to well-lit paths and take a torch and a phone if walking after dark.

- Consider bringing a buddy or family member along. Not only can you have a nice chat as you walk, but you may feel safer in a group.

Start early

A quick morning walk around the block before work or school is a great way of adding some steps in and can remove the pressure to try and squeeze steps in at the end of the day. Not only will it help you get to your target, but it's a fantastic way to start your day right mentally and physically.

Be weather-wise

November can be dark and cold and very wet. But that doesn't mean your steps have to suffer! If you have access to a gym, pop in and use their treadmills. You would also be surprised how your steps can add up when doing chores around the house or even just climbing the stairs in your house or work. Unless you want it to be, your daily step count doesn't need to be an outdoor mission. There's no need to go out and get soggy.

Make it part of your routine

Build your steps around your day. Could you walk places you usually get transport? Park in the furthest spot from your office? Could work meetings be walking meetings? Use your lunch break for a purposeful stroll? Don't take the shortcut home? All of those steps will add up and maybe you can get your coworkers involved in the fundraiser, too! Remember, steps you do as part of your regular exercise count too!

Sync up with Strava

If you're a regular mover you may want to incorporate your existing jogs, walks or hikes with the challenge. Just Giving have a really good guid on how to connect your fundraising page to Strava so you can keep your followers up to date.

Any questions or need a hand signing up? Just get in touch by emailing fundraising@emcancertrust.org