A KIDDERMINSTER man is set to trek across the world’s hottest desert to raise funds for Acorn’s Children’s Hospice.
Steven Duffield, who moved to the town three years ago, has shed more than 17st in less than a year ahead of what promises to be a gruelling 1,880-mile trek for his chosen cause. He has set himself a fundraising target of £4,000 which he hopes to surpass.
The inspiration behind his epic journey is his beloved 11-year-old niece, Meggie, who relies on the critical support of Acorns for the Three Counties for rehabilitative respite care and family services.
She has a highly complex, rare and life limiting chromosome disorder known as Trisomy 9 mosaic syndrome. She requires permanent care, is non-verbal, unable to take solid food, has a compromised immune system and was born with several of her major organs twisted, fused and in the wrong place.
Steven’s journey
Steven, who was almost 30st in weight, made the decision to change his life two years ago and committed to improving his health.
He said: “When I started walking, it was just six miles in the first month – and that was more than enough for me at the time.
“But I stuck at it, walking more and more and I’m now up to 25 miles a day.
“As the weight fell off, my mental health improved drastically too. I slowly began to feel like myself again.
“My dad, who we lost to dementia five years ago, was always fond of walking – so walking makes me feel close to him too in many ways, and to appreciate life.”
Steven is channeling his passion for walking and the great outdoors to give back.
Following a trip to Tunisia, where he first experienced the beauty of the Sahara Desert, Steven eagerly embraced the idea of trekking the Sahara.
Steven said: “A friend of mine thought I was actually walking all the way from Kidderminster to the Sahara.
“We had a good laugh when I explained the mix-up, but the idea stuck with me – I couldn’t shake how incredible that challenge would be.
“Now, here I am. Whilst I’m not physically walking to the Sahara, I’m covering the exact same distance, and hoping to raise even more money for Acorns because of it.”
In a full circle moment for Steven, he’s covering this distance of 1,880 miles along the same local canals, nature reserves and trails where he first embarked on his remarkable weight loss journey, transforming both his physical health and mental wellbeing.
Steven added: “Acorns has been a lifeline for my sister and her family.
“It’s about more than just Meggie – they care for the whole family, including her twin brother, through sibling groups and family fun days.”
He added when Meggie stays overnight she gets to enjoy herself and her mum and dad can get much-needed rest knowing she is in expert hands.
Since February, Steven has been walking up six hours every day, carrying a 30lb backpack, aiming to cover all 1,880 miles before the Sahara trek in October – that equates to more than 72 marathons and over 4.2 million steps.
Raising awreness
Steven is also explaining his challenge and raising awareness of the hospice’s work through his very own business cards, complete with a QR code linking to his fundraising page.
And he is reaching out to local businesses and planning a summer music festival to boost his funds.
He added: “‘I’m doing everything I can because I understand firsthand what families like mine go through.
“Living with Meggie, I see every day how poorly she is and the reality of having a child with a life limiting condition. I’ve watched her go in and out of hospital, never knowing one day to the next if she would make it.”
He added: “Whenever I’m out walking and my feet start to ache or the rain’s pouring down, I just think about Meggie and other children at Acorns. It’s a powerful reminder that any discomfort I feel is nothing compared to what they go through.”
Steven has also met up with the Mayor of Kidderminster, Coun George Connolly (pictured) to explain about his trek.
Visit: justgiving.com/page/saharayomp4acorns to support Steven and donate to his cause and go to: acorns.org.uk for more on Acorns Children’s Hospice and the support it offers.
