Marching over one million steps for Maggie's

It was day 11 and the 11 Pearson staff taking part in the March Maggie’s step challenge had now walked over 1,500,000 steps.

The Maggie’s cancer care centre in Oldham is funded almost entirely by voluntary donations and so the challenge is an attempt to raise much-needed funds as the usual ways of raising money have been severely impacted by the pandemic over the past 12 months..

The team at Pearson Solicitors have extended their support for Maggie’s Oldham into 2021 as the coronavirus pandemic hit hard and the staff were unable to go into the centre to volunteer.

“It’s great that we are able to continue supporting Maggie’s as out charity of the year and we can’t wait to get back into the centre helping out,” said Suzanne Wright, of Pearson.

“During the pandemic we have helped out with a variety of challenges and this latest one has been great for our staff, we’re really enjoying the walking and sharing our daily gains.

"Some staff have already raised more than the £150 individual goal and we’re looking forward to the end of March and tallying up our steps and of course our charity cash balance.

“But more than anything we are looking forward to the spring and getting back into the centre as volunteers, really getting stuck in and clearing up the garden, getting the patio and greenhouse ready for visitors,” added Suzanne, who is coordinating the charitable efforts.

Head of Pearson Conveyancing, Victoria Marshall, has been walking around Oldham in her lunch hour to clock up the steps and then getting the family out and about to reach the 10,000 step milestone.

Family Solicitor, Joanne Graham, who is working from home, says the challenge has reconnected her with colleagues on the shared whatsapp group and got her out and about in her local countryside.

She is also feeling the health benefits.

“We’re asking people to walk 300,000 throughout the 31-day month of March, an average of 10,000 each day and it’s been amazing to see so many people getting involved,” said Laura Tomlinson, of Maggie’s Oldham.

“The steps challenge is a great one for all the family to get involved in and a brilliant way for us to fundraise and also raise awareness of Maggie’s Oldham - we’re loving seeing people out and about in their orange t-shirts!

“No one could truly have predicted the impact coronavirus would have on the lives of those with cancer.

"However, while the world was talking about Covid-19, we at Maggie’s did know one thing - cancer wouldn’t stop for coronavirus."

For the thousands of people who have been newly diagnosed, who have had treatment delayed or cancelled, who have felt isolated and lonely, and for families who have lost loved ones during these unprecedented times. Maggies' support is more needed than ever.

The centre is open, and the psychologist, benefits advisor and cancer support specialists are there offering frontline walk-in support, so people with cancer have immediate access when they need it the most.

All support is also available over the phone and online too.

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