Thanks for taking the time to visit our JustGiving page.

EDIT: We've been quite frankly blown away with peoples responses, achieving our original target of £1,000 in less than 24 hours and £2,000 in 72 hours. Thank you so much and we are pressing on to a new target of £3,000!

We are taking on a family walk up Mam Tor peak in Derbyshire to raise money for an incredible charity that means a lot to us – Steps Conductive Education Centre in Shepshed.

Our youngest son Alfie (3) was born with Dysgenesis of the Corpus Callosum, which is a brain abnormality that affects how the two sides of his brain communicate. Alfie is bright, determined and understands so much, but his physical skills are still developing and he is not yet able to walk or speak.

Because Alfie can’t walk yet, we will be carrying him up Mam Tor. Our eldest son Henry (7) will also be taking on his longest walk yet to support his little brother.

We wanted to do this challenge as a family, including Alfie every step of the way — carrying him now, until the day he can walk these steps himself.

Steps Conductive Education Centre has been life-changing for Alfie. Through a mix of physiotherapy, learning, communication and play, they help children build strength, coordination, independence and confidence. It’s a place where families support each other and children like Alfie get opportunities they might not otherwise have. They provide a community where parents, siblings and grandparents can all be involved.

Steps have assisted us in gathering evidence for Alfie's Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) application which the local authority initially rejected. They also went above and beyond by helping us understand the full range of physiotherapy equipment available. This guidance was invaluable and enabled us to work effectively with the NHS to secure the walker that best meets Alfie’s needs.

Steps is a charity and families don’t pay to attend. With the NHS stretched, their support is a lifeline for early intervention and development.

We’re climbing Mam Tor to say thank you and to help Steps continue supporting children like Alfie.

If you’re able to donate, no matter how small, it would mean the world to us, and to the families who rely on Steps.

More can be found about Steps at the following link: https://www.stepscentre.org/

Thank you for supporting our Steps for Steps challenge!

Stephen, Hollie, Henry & Alfie