From 9th – 15th May I’ll be taking part in the Guide Dogs UK ‘Walk your Socks Off’ challenge.  My stretch goal is to walk 150,000 steps (about 50 miles, and will include both ‘boots-on’ walks towards my 2021 1000miles challenge, as well as all the walking around garden, home and town).

Why am I walking my socks off?  2020 Lockdown saw me spending most of my time stuck in front of the work computer and heading towards the fridge / wine rack far too often.  So in 2021 I set myself a fitness challenge for my 50^th year, initially planning to walk 50km per month for the year, this soon progressed to the Walk 1000 miles challenge.  I’ve been making fantastic progress, having recently reached 330 ‘boots-on’ miles!  The ‘Socks’ challenge will spur me on to do some longer walks towards my mission for the year and raise money for a fantastic cause.  Oh, and the funky socks play a small part too!

Why Guide Dogs?  Guide Dogs is a charity close to our hearts, after Dave lost his sight suddenly in 2015 he was quickly matched with his first Guide Dog ‘Venus’.  She has been a life-line for him – not only for the practical support and independence she gives him, but also emotionally as he came to terms with sudden sight loss.  We wouldn’t be without her; out of harness, she is also a much loved family pet; enjoying our large garden, snuggles on the sofa (Guide Dogs, please don’t read that!) and plenty of free runs with me on many of my daily walks.  She’ll also be ‘Walking her Paws Off’ with us during the second week of May!

I’ll be donating £20 for every 50,000 steps I achieve. I’d be grateful if you’d consider making a small donation too – to spur me on towards my target, and to enable many other blind and partially sighted people to benefit from the furry life-savers.  Thanks so much everyone!  I’ll be keeping you updated on my progress via Facebook and Instagram.