Five friends with an average age of over 80-years-old will together walk a total of one million steps to raise money for Cure Parkinson’s this month.

The group will be led by 87-year-old Joyce Cook from Chorleywood, who last year walked an incredible 369,000 steps in one month, raising over £3,500 for the charity.

Amongst those joining Joyce on this challenge are husband and wife Tony and Gill Wright from Chipperfield, as well as Kate O’Malley and Eleanor Palmer, both also from Hertfordshire.

Joyce said: "I must admit I am nervous about this challenge; one million steps is an awful lot, but I am so pleased to have four wonderful friends, (and we hope to encourage more to join us!) to help cover the miles. 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."

Watford Observer:

Joyce’s family have supported Cure Parkinson's since it was founded in 2005, to the extent that Joyce’s son, Will, became a trustee in 2015 before giving up his job to become the charity’s chief executive in 2017.

Will said: "I am hugely proud of my mum for bringing this group together, and grateful to each of the team for committing to walk this distance in support of Cure Parkinson’s.

"During her last challenge, my mum was amazed at how many people came up to her in the street and shared their own experiences of being affected by Parkinson’s.

"This illustrates further the need for us to continue with urgency our work to find a cure, and it is the support of inspirational groups like this one that will allow us to do that."

To support the team visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/a-million-steps-forward or follow their journey on Instagram @amillionstepsforward