310,000 #stepsforSands

Littleborough resident Liesl Beckles has embraced a challenge to walk 310,000 steps throughout October to raise money and awareness for the stillbirth and neonatal death charity Sands.

Liesl, who will be finishing the 310,000 steps this weekend, decided to take on the challenge in memory of a friend who lost her twin daughters at birth five years ago.

As of Friday (23 October), Liesl has under 30,000 steps left – and says she has enjoyed the challenge as it has improved her mental wellbeing. With plans to keep her newfound love of walking, Liesl thinks she may try to reach 400,000 steps by 31 October. Her longest walk so far was 27,000 steps – or 12 miles – on a round journey from Shore to Walsden and back last week.

The final walk will be to visit the baby girls’ resting place at the cemetery, which Liesl expects to be 'very emotional'.

 

 

Liesl said: “I’m doing the challenge in memory of my friends’ twin daughters who were born sleeping. I usually drive everywhere so I am out of my comfort zone by having to walk so many steps per day.

“Walking regularly has really improved my mental wellbeing as before I started it, I was quite anxious because of lockdown. I’m definitely going to carry walking every day. I really enjoy it now and keep challenging myself to walk further every day.

“My last walk is going to be to visit my friend’s daughters at the cemetery. I know this will be emotional.”

To date, Liesl, who works at Touchstones Rochdale, has raised over £250 for Sands, and says more people have pledged  to sponsor her upon completion.

Sands is a UK charity which supports anyone affected by the death of a baby. It also aims to improve care for bereaved parents, and reduce the number of deaths so fewer families experience the pain of losing a baby.

If you have been affected, help and support from Sands is available via the website: www.sands.org.uk

The 310,000 steps campaign is designed to raise awareness of the cause, and also ensure  everyone affected by the loss of a baby gets the support they need and deserve.

You can donate to Liesl’s efforts via Facebook:

• www.facebook.com/donate/773108383472977/