A MAN from the Bradford district is taking steps to help a hospice.

Rotarian Robert Allan is walking an average of 10,000 steps a day throughout the month of March in an attempt to raise money for the Marie Curie hospice in Bradford.

Robert, who celebrates his 76th birthday during the challenge, will cover around 150 miles in total.

He plans to take on a different route each day, accompanied by his dog.

“I do enjoy walking and it’s been a bit of a saviour during lockdown,” says Robert, who’s a member of the Bradford Blaize Rotary Club and lives in the Keighley area.

“The challenge is doing a walk every single day and achieving the number of steps.”

He and club colleagues usually hold supermarket collections each March for the hospice as part of the Marie Curie Great Daffodil Appeal, but the events can’t take place this year due to the pandemic.

Owing to the cancellation of all its appeal collections, which is set to cost the charity over £3 million, Marie Curie instead asked people to consider taking on the 10,000-steps-a-day challenge.

The Great Daffodil Appeal, first held in 1986, is now the largest fundraising campaign in the hospice sector.

Marie Curie thanked Robert for signing-up to the Step into Spring challenge.

Hannah Taylor, for the charity, added: “The Great Daffodil Appeal is vitally important to us.

“Having been held every March for over three decades, this is the first time we’ve had to cancel all of our public collections.

“In these unprecedented times, we need people’s support now more than ever.”

The Bradford Blaize club will be posting updates on its website about Robert’s progress.

A spokesman said: “In the past, Robert along with other members has also organised and undertaken long-distance sponsored walks where proceeds have gone to Marie Curie in Bradford.

“These have included the Dalesway, Hadrian’s Wall and the Cleveland Way.

“All of these were in the range of 75 to 100 miles.

"But this challenge will involve Robert walking more than 150 miles to achieve his goal.”

In these images, Robert is pictured walking on the moors above Riddlesden.

An online fundraising page has been set-up and people are urged to donate.

To make a contribution, go to justgiving.com/fundraising/rotary-club-of-bradford-blaize-for-marie-curie, where people can donate.