An 86-year-old woman is set to complete her 300,000 steps challenge to help fund research in curing Parkinson's.
Joyce Cook from Chorleywood set herself the challenge to walk 10,000 steps a day starting from World Parkinson’s Day (April 11) and finishing on May 10.
Supporting the Cure Parkinson’s charity is something she felt attached to, after losing a close family friend.
In fact, her son Will Cook became a trustee for the charity in 2015 before eventually becoming the CEO in 2017.
Before embarking on the tiring journey, she began training in January so that she could handle walking the 300,000 steps in a month.
Talking about the challenge, she said: “I must admit I am nervous about this challenge: I just hope I can do it!
“I am 86 years old, and I will try to walk 10,000 steps a day, which may be tricky, but I will do my best.
“I started training properly in January but walking in the ice and snow is pretty dangerous. But I love being out in the fresh air, and I love walking, and most of all I am inspired to do everything I can to raise funds for Cure Parkinson’s.
“This is a wonderful charity - close to my heart - as a dear friend of our family passed away with the condition. His wonderful memory inspires me to raise funds to help find the cure.”
On the final day of the fundraiser, she will be met by the Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, Robert Voss.
Her son said: “I am inspired by many people around this charity, and hugely proud of my mum – committing to walk 10,000 steps per day at 86 years young is amazing.
“I have offered to walk some of her distance each day with her but will have to work hard to keep up! She is very focused and loves getting out of the house.
“And my family is 100 per cent behind her; my 14-year-old son Ben has even taken on the role of her Social Media Manager.”
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