People across Fife are taking up charitable trust's 100 mile step challenge

People across Fife are stepping up to take part in our virtual 100 mile challenge around our facilities across the region.

We recently launched a 100 Mile Step Challenge to walk or run the equivalent distances between 12 of our sites across Fife.  The challenge can be completed by steps indoors or outdoors, following current COVID regulations, in stages to suit participants.

Those taking up the challenge are being asked to record their progress by completing our online registration form, with photos, videos and testimonials to share among other steppers.  Anyone interested in taking part has until April 3 to clock up as many steps as possible.

So far, participants, which include the trust’s own staff, are pacing around 500 miles per week and are keeping track of their steps through our own app.  Some of those taking part are taking the opportunity to raise funds for our Fife Health and Wellbeing Fund which helps deliver our health and wellbeing programme supporting local people living with long-term health conditions such as cancer, dementia, diabetes and heart incidents with specially-designed physical activity sessions.    

Stuart Bizzari, gym manager for Fife Sports and Leisure Trust, is the first to complete the 100 miles in just nine days.

He said: “I think I may have been making up for the lack of training in the gym by walking my dogs Kiera, who loved the snow, and Duke, my lab puppy.”

Jane Mason from Dunfermline has beaten her fundraising target and has raised £255 so far, she said: “The trust provides sports, fitness and health opportunities for all ages and abilities across the communities of Fife – I am walking for my health and wellbeing to raise funds so it can provide services to do the same benefits for others.”

Lynn Knox from Cupar has walked over 50 miles and raised £195 so far. She said: “I know like others, I am missing the gym and the benefits it brings me, both physically and mentally.  Walking has helped me to keep fit and stay well in the interim. But, not everyone can get out and about which is why I want to raise funds which will enable the trust to continue to deliver its fantastic health and wellbeing programme for people living with long-term health conditions.”

William Tanner, age 12 from Low Valleyfield, has completed 43,200 of steps during the challenge and raised £265. He said: “I enjoy keeping active as part of my football training and it’s great to support such a wonderful cause.”

Fiona Prendergast, wellbeing and programming manager for Fife Sports and Leisure Trust, said: There is still time for people to take up the challenge and we’d love more people to get involved. As our facilities are closed under the Level 4 COVID restrictions– it’s a great way to stay active and continue to feel the health and wellbeing benefits of physical activity.

“The challenge can be carried out indoors or outdoors and it’s a great way to engage with people while we can’t attend our usual gym sessions or fitness classes.

 “Our health and wellbeing programme delivers huge benefits to people across Fife living with long-term conditions, and during lockdown we continue to engage with this group with a dedicated outreach programme, so, if people want to make their step challenge into a fundraiser for the Fife Health and Wellbeing Fund, then we’d be hugely grateful.”

Click here for further details and to register for the 100 Mile Step Challenge.