1 MILLION STEPS

What's better than 1 million steps?

If you’re going to have a charity fundraiser and a challenge, and you’re a Chartered Accountant, then certainly numbers need to be involved.

“Martyn”, asked Chris Wainwright, our Business Members’ Committee powerhouse, of our Editor, “I think I’d like to walk a million steps in May!”

One quick calculation later and it was revealed that was over 30,000 steps, in fact as you will know more precisely, 32,258 per day – or approximately 16 miles.

I’m sure you will be aware that Chris is an intrepid athlete and adventurer, and certainly 16 miles in a day, in one day, is comfortable – but 31 consecutive times for a busy fellow like him?

So, the fine idea of sharing that million was suggested, and the challenge was accelerated to March – there seemed to be some irony in walking a million steps in such a well-named month.

A little further consideration arrived at the charitable aim, and it seemed particularly appropriate to be walking to raise the final tranche of funding for a disabled, accessible lift for Tranmere Rovers main stand at Prenton Park. This was a project that had been running for a couple of years, initiated by the Club’s Disabled Supporters’ Association, and supported by their London based supporters’ club, the Southern Super White Army. During the pandemic, it had stalled, and Martyn as an Associate Director of the Club was asked to complete the project by one of our Society’s members – of course, the Tranmere Chairman, Mark Palios.

1st March arrived, and Chris and Martyn had a clear plan. Meet locally – both living in Oxton helped with

that – at 7am, and complete an hour or so before daily duties called.

Hence began a rather delightful daily routine, and one which various other early risers witnessed.

An ensemble of joggers, other walkers, dogs and other souls all become nodding acquaintances on the march around the Wirral. This company was even joined by various friends on their WhatsApp group, as we occasionally embarked on a real/virtual accompanied walk.

The activity soon turned into a regular habit, and even a drug-like fascination. The numbers were all logged, averages calculated, steps achieved, and the daily target average quickly came down. The aim quickly came into sight, and both the million steps, and the remaining £10,000 quickly accumulated, and thanks to many of our members is also well due.By the end of March – with a very controlled last day, Chris and Martyn both achieved an average of 20,022 for a combined total of 1.2million steps shared between them, and their financial target happily achieved.

However, let us return to the title of this article. What, indeed is better than one million steps? Of course, an accountant will know that the answer is TWO MILLION steps. Inspired and indeed, intoxicated by their success, it was agreed that they would continue throughout April – and with a slightly lesser target for the month, the pair just passed the one million each mark on the 30th April.

So, whilst Tranmere Rovers’ season did end in some disappointment in being beaten in the Play-off semi-finals, the Lift Appeal proved successful, and the lift is being installed during June ready for the start of the new season.