STAFF and young people from a Retford children’s home put their best foot forward to raise money for charity and successfully undertook a one million steps challenge.
One of the young people who lives at The Poppies, a residential children’s home which is part of Keys, has Type 1 diabetes, something which she can find challenging.
To show support, and to raise awareness as well as funds, the team at The Poppies decided to undertake a three month steps challenge to walk one million steps. The two girls supported at the home, as well as the staff team, all took part and ‘smashed’ the total.
Manager at the home, Zoe, said: “The young person who is Type 1 diabetic can struggle with it emotionally and this was a great challenge to bring us all together and support her. It was a practical way to show we were all with her.
“We averaged between 10,000 and 11,000 steps a day and everyone took part, including one of our staff, Ruth, who is in her late 60s. It encouraged us all to get out, especially the girls as they really would prefer to be driven everywhere!
“Diabetes is life changing and this was a good opportunity for us not only to show support for this young person, but also to raise funds and awareness. We also wanted to more associate her condition with positivity rather than negativity, and the challenge certainly did that.
“We raised £274 towards research by Diabetes UK, something which we are all very proud of.”
The staff team at The Poppies have undertaken specific training to help the young person manage her diabetes.
Zoe added: “The young person feels very safe and comfortable with us, she knows the team will make sure she is looked after and supported properly.”
