England bowlers make every step count for Mental Health UK

The team travelling to the Gold Coast, Australia, to represent Bowls England at the World Bowls Championships this year have undertaken a step challenge to raise money for Mental Health UK.

Starting on February 10, the ten-strong team and four managers will walk 10,200 steps per day for 30 days.

Nick Brett, Ellen Falkner, Sian Honnor, Lorraine Kuhler, Andy Knapper, Rob Paxton, Katherine Rednall, Sam Tolchard, Sophie Tolchard and Jamie Walker plus the management team of Wendy King, John Mc Guinness, Mo Monkton and Kirk Smith will join forces to complete a total of more than 4million steps, for which they are aiming to raise £4,000.

High Performance Director John Mc Guinness said: “The physical challenge will help us in our preparation for our competition on the Gold Coast, which is 10,200 miles from England and the reason behind our daily step goal.

High Performance Manager John Mc Guinness said: “One in four people will be affected by mental health issues in their lifetime and it is vital that people seek the help that they need which is why we have chosen this charity.

“This challenge will also help us all to get into the right frame of mind for the forthcoming championships. Our ability to work as a team and demonstrate to ourselves that we can deliver physically is also a key reason for undertaking this task.

“We travel in May so time is ticking and we are ramping up our training now- this challenge is perfect as it enables us to work together for this great cause.

“This is not an easy challenge, for good reason, but this is a very strong and competitive group of people and we are really looking forward to championing such an important charity.

“Thank you to everyone who has supported us already and we would be so grateful if people would take a moment to sponsor us.”

To make a donation, go to www.justgiving.com/fundraising/england-bowlers