There are some Sundays when putting your feet up feels like the obvious choice. This wasn’t one of them.
On Sunday 13th September, 29 M3-ers gathered at Cannock Chase, pulled on their walking boots and set themselves a slightly ambitious challenge: 25,000 steps each in support of Promise Dreams.
By the time everyone crossed the finish line, we’d clocked up an incredible 725,000 steps between us.
And, more importantly, we’d raised well over £5,000 for Promise Dreams, with donations still coming in.
A cause close to our hearts
Promise Dreams is one of M3’s charity partners and a cause that’s particularly close to our hearts. The charity helps make dreams come true for children living with serious and terminal illnesses, and their families. The dreams they help make possible can mean everything, from a special family holiday to meeting a favourite person or experiencing something a child has always wanted to do. They're opportunities to step away from the challenges of everyday life and create moments of happiness, together.
This year is particularly special for Promise Dreams as they celebrate their 25th anniversary. Their aim is to make 25 dreams come true, with each dream costing around £2,000 to fund.
So, when we set out on our 25,000-step challenge, we knew there was a lot more at stake than simply reaching the end of the trail.
29 people. 25,000 steps each.
The walk took us across the varied terrain of Cannock Chase, and there was certainly a bit of everything along the way. There were hills, woodland, open trails, plenty of mud and, inevitably, a few complaints about how far we still had to go. But there were also plenty of laughs, conversations and the slightly strange sense of achievement that comes from watching your step count steadily climb towards 25,000.
By the end, there were some very tired legs, some well-worn walking boots and a team that had successfully clocked up 725,000 steps together.
And there was a well-earned drink waiting at the end.
Making memories that matter
For us, that’s really what the day was about. A day spent together as a team is great. Getting out of the office, doing something different and challenging ourselves is great.
But knowing that those steps, and the money raised alongside them, can help Promise Dreams create precious memories for children and families going through incredibly difficult circumstances makes it all the more worthwhile.
We're incredibly grateful to everyone who has donated, shared our fundraising or supported us along the way.
And a huge thank you to the 29 M3-ers who gave up their Sunday, donned their walking boots and spent a few hours trudging around Cannock Chase to help make a few more dreams come true.
725,000 steps down. A few more dreams hopefully made possible.
That feels like a pretty great day's work.
