Soroptimist International Bristol (SI Bristol): Walking Challenge.

This year, SI Bristol is supporting two charities. As a fundraiser I have challenged myself, a 76-year-old, to walk at least a 100 miles a month during SI Bristol’s centenary year (1st May 2020 to 30th April 2021). The number of steps I walk will be recorded on my mobile phone and mileage calculated at 2,000 steps per mile.

The amount of money raised by SI Bristol will be split evenly between two Bristol-based charities.

1. National Centre for Integrative Medicine, based in Bristol, offering a variety of therapies to help people improve their lives (www.ncim.org.uk)

2. Lifeskills, Bristol's unique safety education centre ( www.lifeskills-bristol.org.uk)

Added 1st April: Since the beginning of May 2020, I have walked 1,390 miles, which is in excess of my target of 100 miles per month (1,200 miles). To put this into perspective, it is farther than walking from Land's End to John O'Groats and back again (1,206 miles as the crow flies)! If you have been waiting to make a donation until you knew I would achieve my target, now is a good time to do so. I will continue to walk every day until the end of April! Thank you. Stay well, Marion.

Added 1st January 2021: I thank everyone who has supported me - it is encouraging to observe the pot of donated money increasing. During December, I walked 122 miles. Thus, for from 1st May to 31st December, I have walked 1,069 miles, giving me 369 miles 'in the bank'. I had to slow down for a few days because I developed bursitis in my right hip and knee. I have four months to go to complete my challenge and am confident that I will succeed in walking 1,200 miles during the Soroptimist Club's centenary year. Cheers, Marion.

Added 1st April: 2020 Thanks to coronavirus, my challenge will be greater than I anticipated because for the first few months, by necessity, I will be walking alone. How about donating £12 - representing 1p for each of the 1,200 miles I will walk? Alternatively, donate any amount that pleases you - and please leave an encouraging comment; it helps!. Thank you. If you leave your name, I will let you know the final amount that I raise. Marion.