As well as being experts in our field, it’s also important for us at Walpole Partnership, to know that we do some good in the wider world. One of our goals is to donate 1% of our turnover to charities close to our hearts, and this sometimes extends to colleagues who we’re working with from other organisations.
When we heard that Steve Rooke from NHS Supply Chain was walking the London to Brighton Ultra Challenge 100km for Sands, the Stillbirth and neonatal death charity, in memory of his first grandchild Poppy, we were quick to agree that we needed to support this huge endeavour.
Steve and his wife Amanda started their training back in March, but by mid-April the training was beginning to take its toll, primarily on their feet! So they decided to do the walk sooner, at the beginning of May, before the training did any permanent damage, rather than at the organised event at the end of May. It was a risk attempting such a long journey on foot without the support and structure of the event in place, but it was a risk that they were willing to take to achieve their goal.
The total distance that Steve and Amanda walked over 4 days was a massive 104.18km, with an elevation gain of 1,352m, which they covered in just under 24 hours of actual walking time. Steve said, “We are both so proud of ourselves for successfully completing the challenge. In hindsight, it was the correct decision to tackle it earlier due to our medical issues and in some ways, it was harder without the support that would have been in place for the official event. Honouring Poppy was our driving force, and we know she was with us every step of the way.”
Sands is the leading stillbirth and neonatal death charity in the UK. It exists to reduce the number of babies dying and to ensure that anyone affected by the death of a baby receives the best possible care and support for as long as they need it.
To support Steve and Amanda’s amazing walking achievement visit >> www.justgiving.com/team/poppysplodders
