3 Millions Steps: The Small Steps Normandy Walk

Solicitors from across the UK join forces to walk the beaches of Normandy. Impact Films were on hand to capture the best moments on a trip that helped raise over £5,000 to support children living on rubbish sites across the world.

Along with a team of legal professionals Impact spent the bank holiday weekend walking the beaches of South Normandy from Ouistreham to Paisty-Vert. The aim, to raise awareness and funds for the Small Steps Project, a charity that provides much needed support for children living on rubbish tips across the world.

The walk totaled 25 miles and took us through villages, across beaches and roads in mixed weather conditions. Before the walk began we were incredibly anxious as put simply, I don’t do walking; an afternoon around Meadowhall Shopping Centre is usually enough for me.

The first day was spent traveling from Sheffield to Ouistreham, via a ferry from Portsmouth. The journey down went without a hitch but after only a 3 hour sleep on the ferry, the 10 mile walk to our accommodation seemed a little daunting.

After a quick early morning breakfast in the port we began the walk. Costive Clouds, downpours and high winds on the first day did little to dampen spirits but did make walking a tad difficult. Lining the route were numerous tanks, bunkers and liberated houses which provided vivid reminders of the 1944 D-day landings. Around 3 hours after leaving Port, we arrived at the caravan site, grabbing an early night ahead of long walk on day two.

Clouds parted for the second day, giving the beach an uplifting yellow shimmer. It was now the joints and feet began to hurt. The 7.5 mile walk from the caravan site at Saint-Aubin to the village of Paisty Vert took us into mid-afternoon and the clouds began to form once again. The second leg back to the caravan site at Saint-Aubin proved more difficult. Jessica, my partner, began to experience searing pain in her joints and the potential of rain loomed ever nearer.

Thankfully, after numerous stops, we all limped into Saint-Aubin around 7.30pm and to a well deserved rest.

The third day was spent around the camp site recovering from a few minor stains, swollen feat and aching joints after totaling 3 million steps between us. The group arrived safely in Sheffield around mid-day Monday 30th May.

So far, there’s been an overwhelming amount of donations, raising well over the target of £2500. we’d like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your kind donations and would like to especially thank the following people:

Cynthia Rich – Cynergy Marketing Limited
Martyn Standering – DC Leisure
Peter Algar – Author of the Shepherd Lord

A reminder that if you’d like to donate, please visit www.justgiving.com/Helen-Keegan. Stay tuned for the short documentary of the trip.