This September, the AcSoft team is coming together to take on an exciting challenge for a cause that means a great deal to us. Throughout the month, we’ll be aiming to collectively complete an incredible 2 million steps to raise money and awareness for Shine.
Shine is a charity dedicated to supporting people living with spina bifida and hydrocephalus, helping individuals and their families access advice, support and resources throughout their lives. For us, choosing Shine has a particularly personal meaning.
Why We’re Supporting Shine
Our support for Shine is particularly close to our hearts because the charity has provided support to the family of our Commercial Chief Officer, Aidan, following the diagnosis of his young son.
Aidan’s son was born via a planned C-section, and shortly after his birth, doctors noticed a lump and changes to the skin on his back. At the time, his family had no idea what this could mean or what the future might hold. Following an MRI scan, he was diagnosed with Lipomyelomeningocele, a form of spina bifida where fatty tissue is attached to the spinal cord, which can affect the nerves controlling the lower part of the body.
As he grew, his family began to notice changes in his mobility. His feet started to curl inwards and, over time, movement in his feet became increasingly limited. This was caused by his spinal cord being tethered, affecting the way the nerves could function and communicate with the lower parts of his body.
More recently, he underwent a major operation to untether his spinal cord. The aim of the surgery was to release the spinal cord and give his body the best possible opportunity to develop, strengthen and hopefully improve movement as he continues to grow.
However, the operation is only one part of a much longer journey. He now faces ongoing recovery, physiotherapy and rehabilitation, alongside the continued support that he and his family may need as he grows.
It is during journeys like this that charities such as Shine can make such an important difference. From providing specialist information and advice to offering support to individuals and their families, Shine helps people affected by spina bifida and hydrocephalus navigate the challenges and uncertainties they may face.
Having seen the impact this support can have for someone within our own AcSoft family, we wanted to do something meaningful to give back. We also wanted it to be something that our entire team could get behind. And that’s where our 2 Million Step Challenge comes in.
2 Million Steps. One Team. One Cause.
Throughout September, we’re challenging the AcSoft team to collectively clock up 2,000,000 steps, with the goal of raising £2,000 for Shine through our JustGiving page.
To put that into perspective, 2 million steps is roughly, 1,000 miles, depending on stride length. That’s enough steps to walk from London to Edinburgh and back again – with plenty of steps to spare!
From walking to work and getting outside during lunch breaks to evening dog walks, weekend adventures or simply choosing to walk a little further than usual, every step will contribute towards that huge distance.
Everyone taking part will keep track of their steps throughout the month, with our totals combined each week to see how much closer we’re getting to that all-important 2 million milestone.
We’ll also be capturing the challenge along the way, sharing photos from our team’s walks and celebrating our progress as the steps start adding up.
Keep an eye on our LinkedIn throughout September for regular updates as we make our way towards 2 million steps and our £2,000 fundraising goal!
It’s a long way to go – but together, we’re ready to take it one step at a time.
More Than Just a Step Challenge
While reaching 2 million steps will be a fantastic achievement, the real purpose behind the challenge is much bigger. We’re hoping to raise money for Shine while increasing awareness of the important work the charity does for people with spina bifida and hydrocephalus and their families.
It’s also an opportunity for us to come together as a team and do something positive for a cause that has directly supported someone within the AcSoft family.
Whether it’s a few hundred steps around the office or thousands of steps on a weekend walk, every single step will take us closer to our goal.
We’ll be sharing our progress throughout September as we work our way towards the finish line.
