George, 86, plans one million steps in 100 days
George Ginn, a former Soham town councillor, will aim to raise funds for the Arthur Rank Hospice Charity by completing one million steps in 100 days. - Credit: Arthur Rank Hospice Charity/George Ginn
A former town councillor is aiming to complete one million steps in 100 days for charity.
George Ginn from Soham accepted the challenge from Arthur Rank Hospice Charity to take on the task between January 11 and April 20, where he looks to raise £100.
Endurance challenges are not uncommon for George, who completed the London Marathon 21 years ago, and for his latest feat, he plans to walk an average of five miles a day so he can meet his target.
Writing on his fundraising page, George said: “I have a Methodist Church friend who is currently in a hospice and also in memory of another friend who I used to visit in his home and later on in an Arthur Rank Hospice.
“I appreciate the wonderful level of care which is given by the staff to the people staying in their residence.”
A Soham town councillor for 20 years, George has run several marathons since he began getting involved with long-distance running during his time in the RAF between August 1953 and December 1955.
While serving with the RAF in Egypt, the 86-year-old joined in with training runs and took part in events such as his local station’s Canal Zone RAF Championships before raising funds for charity, such as Christian Aid at a marathon in 1973.
George Ginn training for a marathon to support Christian Aid in 1973. - Credit: Cambridgeshire Community Archive Network
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“In 1960, I did about three marathons and when the London marathon came, I started to train and run several marathons,” George said.
“My mentor for running was 13 years older than me. When he died, his secretary wrote a letter and said ‘which of you two were first Cambridgeshire man to run a marathon?’”
George was, in fact, not the first man in the county to run a marathon, but he still looks to make his mark for the community.
Since a client who he supported as part of a mobile warden scheme died while in the Arthur Rank Hospice, the charity has remained close to his heart and aims to carry on playing his part for those that cannot.
“I would love to get back to running again,” he said. “It’s a token gesture; I’m very thankful I can walk, and I'm enjoying it.
“That’s what I set myself to do and hopefully if I don’t break down, I shall complete it.”
To donate, visit: https://arhc.enthuse.com/pf/george-ginn.
