CHARITY Parents And Children Together (PACT) is encouraging people to join an exciting steps challenge to raise money for Alana House which supports women facing multiple disadvantages in the Reading community.
To take part in STEPtember people can choose their target number of steps to walk during September. There are three levels – the Quick Stepper which is 150,000 steps (5k a day), Trail Blazer which is 300,000 steps (10k a day) or the Star Trekker which is 500,000 steps (16.6k a day). However, this challenge is very flexible and people can choose their own step target.
Participants can do their steps however suits them, when it suits them and people can do them either individually or get together as group.
The STEPtember challenge is free to join although if participants would like to support the work of Alana House they can make a donation or set up a fundraising page and invite friends and family to sponsor them.
All the proceeds will be used to help to build and strengthen families through PACT’s Alana House community project. Founded in 2010 Alana House supports approximately 170 women a year.
Based in Reading, and covering the Thames Valley area, the Alana House team provides a wide range of workshops, groups, one-to-one sessions, counselling and courses to meet the varied and complex needs of local women. These needs can range from debt, mental ill health, poor self-esteem, domestic abuse, employment skills, housing, addiction and education.
It costs around £230,000 per year to provide this vital support and all of these costs are met through donations and fundraising. These costs enable women to make very real and profound changes in their lives.
One woman supported by Alana House said: “To be honest, the way I was, if I hadn’t found Alana House I think something very bad would have happened.
“Everything was going wrong and I couldn’t see a way out, but I was determined and I got the help I needed to rebuild. Through doing that it has actually made me realise how strong I am and I am determined to do great things.”
Kathryn Warner, Head of Communities at PACT, said: “Our Alana House project is a special place at the heart of our community. Alana House works as a team with women, staff and volunteers working together to achieve incredible outcomes.
“Now, more than ever, it is vital that we show our support and STEPtember is a fun and flexible way in which people can do this with us. We can all take steps to support the women in our community who are facing a wide range of challenges.”
PACT’s Chief Executive Natausha van Vliet added: “This is the second year of our STEPtember challenge and we hope even more steppers will join us this year!
“Last year’s challenge raised more than £3,500 for Alana House, a sum that makes such a difference to the work we do. This is such a great way for people to support women taking steps to make lasting and positive changes to their own lives.
“As a small charity we are always looking for new ways to raise funds to help us continue our vital work. Thank you to everyone who has signed up already and good luck to all taking part in STEPtember!”
To find out more and to register visit our registration website.
