Calling all bookworms for a special challenge!

Date Published: 17 Feb 2025
person sitting in a chair with a plant on a table beside them. They are holding a copy of Comfort book up over their face as they read

Following the success of last year’s Every Step campaign, which saw local people taking on challenges that pushed them out of their comfort zone to raise funds for our charity, we’re asking people from Greater Manchester and Lancashire to consider doing just that in 2025 too. 

Here, Claire, who took part in last year’s Every Step, explains why any type of challenge matters… 

Confession…my name is Claire and I’m a huge book worm. I like nothing more than a cosy room, a brilliant book and a warm blanket.  

I have to admit, I’m not one for running, jumping, climbing trees – I have a disability which means I am not as adept at physical challenges or activities as I once was. 

But, it has certainly given me resilience and determination. I’m proud to work for Caritas and when I saw everyone signing up to take part in Every Step last year, I knew I wanted to be involved. 

That’s the beauty of this challenge.  It doesn’t need to be something physical that you take on. 

Whether, like me, you love to read, or if you’re a fabulous baker, a wonderful gardener, or someone who likes to paint or knit, there’s bound to be something you can choose that will still push you out of your comfort zone, while raising much-needed funds to help local people. 

For my Every Step challenge in 2024 I decided to set myself an ambitious target of reading 20 books in the month of May. 

Pile of books with reading glasses folded on top

I did lots of research on what I’d like to read, to make sure I’d enjoy taking part, and, to make sure it wasn’t easy, also made sure that there were some long and chunky novels in there mixed with a few slightly easier to read ones too. 

It was certainly a challenge, with every moment I had – be that over breakfast, on a Sunday morning before any chores were done, or at bedtime – spent devouring my latest read.  But, knowing that people were sponsoring me to finish kept me going (and the hoovering will always wait!). 

I know just what a difference money raised in campaigns like this makes to Caritas Salford and I’d encourage anyone thinking of getting involved in Every Step this year to do so.  However big or small you think your efforts might be, they will make a really big difference to people’s lives. 

And, if you are like me and love to read, I’d certainly recommend a month-long reading challenge – it even meant I had some brilliant new authors to recommend to friends and family for the rest of the year! So if you do take part, get in touch and let me know any book recommendations too…

For more information on how to join the Every Step challenge for 2025, visit www.caritassalford.org.uk/everystep 

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