The Procurement and Commercial Services Team at the University of Central Lancashire were newly formed during lockdown as as such many of us haven't ever met each other. We felt that this shouldn't stop us from taking part in a team activity and with lockdown still in effect, this was something a few of us can do together whilst contributing to such a good cause. We hope that given the circumstances our team have been formed in, and how isolating it can feel not being part of an everyday Team in person, this is very much in the spirit of the Captain Tom mission below. Also it is a personal challenge for me having battered my knees last August descending Ben Nevis (going up was easy peasy), I'm still having physio and blame Covid as I'd have been safely on a sunbed in Cyprus had our plans not been cancelled!

As the Country is now in a second national lockdown, The Captain Tom Foundation has launched Walk with Captain Tom. Its mission is to get as many people as possible walking and talking, spreading hope and easing loneliness. Earlier this year Captain Sir Tom united the nation walking laps of his garden and became the face of hope in dark times. Carrying on his journey, he and his family hope the Walk with Captain Tom initiative will unite the nation. The initiative encourages those of all ages, geographies and persuasion to take action. People can walk to keep their mind happy, walk and give someone a call. Walk to their shielding friends house and drop off a little something on the doorstep, or just talk at a distance of course. The coronavirus pandemic continues to cause so much uncertainty and strain, particularly for those facing loneliness, bereavement and mental health issues, and we want to help as much as we can.