Beaminster pub owner to take one million steps for charity

Lesley Waring, 52, has owned the Knapp Inn on Clay Lane for 26 years and decided she ‘needed a change’ in her day-to-day life.

It was at this point she decided to take part in the Diabetes UK one million steps fundraising challenge.

She said: “It’s been absolutely fantastic for my mental health. I was really low when I started and after just a week of walking, I felt so much better.

“I am doing this for me – I needed something to sort my head out.”

Lesley has been taking part in the challenge since July 1, and is set to complete the last few steps on Friday, September 22, completing her walk at the Knapp Inn.

Lesley Waring during one of the walks (Image: Lesley Waring)

She added: “I’m the sort of person who would get in the car and drive to the shop, so there was quite a lot of people who laughed at me when I told them what I was doing.

“I needed a change and then I saw this come up on Facebook. I thought I can do that. I have done every walk on my own as this is something that I wanted to do on my own

“I am just so proud of myself because I didn’t even think that I would achieve it and I am loving it - I will carry on with the walking after the challenge is over.”

Lesley has garnered plenty of support from her family, friends and locals.

Her father Rod Waring is one of her biggest supporters.

He said: “I’m very proud of her, I think it’s a tremendous effort.”

At the time of writing, Lesley has raised £1,435 of a £1,500 target.

The one million steps challenge sees those taking part take around 10,000 steps a day for three months.

This challenge not only encourages people to take steps to get fit, but to raise ‘life-changing funds’ for people affected by diabetes.

You can follow Lesley’s journey and donate here: https://step.diabetes.org.uk/fundraising/lesley73#share-page