Betty’s staff taking on three million step challenge for colleague with brain tumour

Ten friends who met whilst working at the Betty’s bakery in Harrogate are taking on a challenge of walking three million steps in September after being inspired by a colleague who was diagnosed with a brain tumour.

David Smith, 55, was diagnosed with a grade 4 glioblastoma tumour in March this year.

The challenge is part of the Yorkshire Brain Tumour Charity’s Step into September campaign, where supporters ‘walk, jog, dance or climb’ to raise funds for research and patient support.

Throughout the month, the colleagues and ex-colleagues will aim to walk as many steps as possible in an attempt to raise £2,000.

They hope to do most of the steps on Saturday, September 17, when they will walk 20km around Roundhay Park in Leeds.

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Crimple Valley where Betty's staff have been walking for the brain tumour charity step challenge

The walkers have been getting their steps across the local area, including in the Crimple Valley (photos: Yorkshire Brain Tumour Charity)

Gemma Pickup, Mr Smith’s manager at Betty’s, said the group wanted to continue raising funds after the challenge.

The group’s ‘Do it for Dave, do it for Yorkshire’ idea is for the three million steps to be just the first challenge out of 20, with baking, fishing and swimming all on the agenda.

Ms Pickup said:

“I came up with ‘Do it for Dave, Do it for Yorkshire’ because Dave has been lacking motivation recently.

“Dave will have worked at Bettys for 20 years in September and we have all known him that long, so I came up with the idea of 20 challenges in 12 months to try and give him something to aim for and also a chance for people to reconnect with him and make some fun memories.”

The Yorkshire Brain Tumour Charity works to support brain tumour patients of all ages and their families across Yorkshire.

The charity has funded research at the Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust and at the Universities of Hull and Sheffield.

Over 1,000 people are diagnosed with brain tumours across the Yorkshire and the Humber region each year. Around 10% of those diagnosed are under 18 years old.