Rochdale adult care team clock up nearly 3 million steps for Christmas fundraiser

Some of the participants from the adult care service

Twelve members of Rochdale’s adult care service have collectively walked over 2,500 miles in a mission to give to others this Christmas.

The team, based at Number One Riverside, set themselves a challenge to walk the distance from Manchester city centre to the North Pole throughout November - a total aim of 2,523.24 miles.

Completed on 30 November, the Christmas fundraiser has so far raised £400 in donations on the dedicated GoFundMe page which will go towards buying goods to put together welfare hampers for vulnerable adults and people who might be alone this Christmas in the community.

One of the team members, Katie Helliwell, said: “This was a challenge in our area of work as we are mainly desk based, so we have been walking before and after work, around the office, and during meetings to hit the target miles.

“We completed this from the 1 November to 30 November and covered 2,777,803 steps in total.

“I love Christmas and I am very lucky to have a loving family and everything I need, so this is my way of giving a little back.

“The rest of the team and I are on a mission to drop the hampers on doorsteps for a Christmas surprise.

“We also want food donations; if people can't donate money, as it is hard times, then tinned foods, mince pies, cakes, biscuits, chocolate, miniature wines, hand warmers, socks, hats and gloves are welcome. Anything will help.”

People can drop donations at the Number One Riverside building on Smith Street, Rochdale, labelled for Katie Helliwell’s attention, or collection can be arranged if needed.

If you cannot get to the drop off point at Number One Riverside, a GoFundMe page has been set up for online donations. You can donate online until Sunday 19 December:

• www.gofundme.com/f/adult-care-door-step-challenge

The money donated will go towards buying necessities for the hampers, to be distributed Christmas week, commencing 20 December 2021.