News
July 21st 2020
Derbyshire Army Cadets take 3.8 million steps for local hospices
Derbyshire ACF fundraisers passing Treetops Hospice on their route.
Derbyshire Army Cadet Force, affiliated to the Mercian Regiment, raised over £6,800 for Derbyshire Hospices with their July Step Challenge and fundraising activities.
Following the cancellation of the Crich Memorial Pilgrimage, Army Cadet Force Adult Volunteers and Cadets across Derbyshire set out on a socially distanced Step Challenge. As well as the amazing achievement of the steps total, they also raised vital funds for two Derbyshire hospices.
Covering more than 3.7 million steps between them, their collective step count covered the equivalent distance (straight line) from Derby, UK to Derbino in Russia, some 368km past Moscow!
Derbyshire ACF fundraising distance walked
On the day of the event, Cadets should have paraded at Crich Memoria Pilgrimage, which usually takes place on the first Sunday in July at the Mercian Regiment’s War Memorial, the tower on Crich Hill in Derbyshire. Due to coronavirus government restrictions this memorial had to be postponed, where usually members of the Regiment, past and present, would gather to pay their respects and reunite with comrades.
Other notable achievements from within their Cadet ranks include a single detachment covering the equivalent distance of a motorway journey from London to Glasgow (808,378 steps).
One Cadets individual walking stats. (31,558 steps)
One adult instructor, Lieutenant Paul Thomas, cycled 172 km, which is the same as riding from the Derbyshire Army Cadet Force Headquarters to Heathrow Airport, in a straight line. Or to the Warner Brothers, Harry Potter studios, Watford, if he was using the road network.
Cadet Bulloch who took part in the fundraising, commented: “The reason I did the walk is as I wanted to finally get out and do something challenging, raising money for a great charity in need.” Cadet Lance Corporal Parr also explained: “I did the Step Challenge to raise money for Treetops Hospice as it is a good cause and they helped my grandad when he had cancer.”
Derbyshire Army Cadet Force Commandant, Colonel Chris Doyle told us: “Derbyshire Cadets embarked on the Step Challenge to support their community during the current emergency. Derbyshire’s Hospices are the beneficiaries of all the money raised by the Cadets, they are the unsung heroes in our community providing the vital care and comfort at the very time of our lives we need it most.”
Thank you from Treetops
Treetops Hospice Care provides nursing care and emotional support for adults and their families in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.
Speaking on behalf of Treetops Hospice, Cheryl Morris, Deputy Community Relationships Manager, added: “Our huge congratulations and thanks go to everyone who’s taken part in the Crich Memorial Pilgrimage Challenge and contributed to the 3.8million steps! It’s a fantastic achievement and a real legacy to look back on during lockdown.
“The money you’ve raised for Treetops Hospice Care is wonderful and will help us continue to care for patients with life-limiting conditions and their families across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. Thank you so much from us all at Treetops!”
For more information about joining or working with the Army Cadets click here. Or visit armycadets.com or contact Derbyshire Army Cadet Force HQ on 01332 772025.
“Our girls and boys, all aged between 12 and 18, collectively walking the equivalent of nearly 1,766 miles during lockdown, that is some going.” Derbyshire ACF Commandant, Colonel Chris Doyle.
