Two Scouting stalwarts are stepping out to make a difference to their group and the community.

Steve and Joyce Cree, who are both in their 70s, are planning to complete walking an extra one million steps each before the end of May to fund buying a new minibus for the 10th Mansfield Scout Group.

Now the couple, who have been married for 51 years, are appealing for sponsorship to help them achieve their target for the group, based at the Methodist Church on Chesterfield Road South.

Steve, who has been involved in Scouting most of his life, is vice-chairman of the group and still actively involved with the Explorer Scouts attached to the Group, while Joyce is a member of the trustees alongside her husband.

They have served as Scout leaders for more than 70 years between them.

He explained: “My wife and I have crazily volunteered to each walk one million extra steps before the end of May.

“Last year, after nine years of faithful service, our Scout Group said goodbye to its 19-year-old minibus.

“As we are now hopefully coming to the end of the lockdown restrictions, the Scout Group is looking forward to being able to get out and about once again.”

The couple can be regularly found walking various trails in Clipstone Forest, Vicar Water Country Park and Sherwood Pines, whatever the weather, as they clock up the extra million steps and log their treks via walking apps.

Steve said a new minibus would not only help the group but also many community groups throughout Nottinghamshire who have previously used the Scouts’ transport, which regularly covered 6,000 miles a year.

He added that the couple hope to raise money towards buying a new wheelchair-friendly minibus.

Steve, a retired police officer, is no stranger to helping the Scouting movement. Two years ago he was awarded The Scout Association’s second highest honour of a Bar to the Silver Acorn for distinguished service to Scouting.

The couple have attended several World Scout Jamborees and Steve has assisted with all sections of Scouting, holding roles as Assistant Group Scout Leader, Group Scout Leader, Assistant District Commissioner, Assistant and Deputy County Commissioner.

Together with Joyce, Steve helped to organise and lead two 10-day expeditions in Brazil, which resulted in several young people becoming Queen’s Scouts — the highest award for a Scout.

He was one of the first Leaders to set up Explorer Scouting for young people, aged 14 to 18, in the county and he is a qualified Duke of Edinburgh Award expedition supervisor and assessor.

A preacher in the Sherwood Forest Methodist Circuit he founded the C.A.S.E. (Children And Safety Education) lifeskills programme for Key Stage 1 + 2 youngsters, designed to complement the UK D.A.R.E. Programme for Key Stage 5 + 6 pupils.

 Joyce was formerly a Deputy District Commissioner for Mansfield District Scouts and Group Scout Leader at 10th Mansfield Scout Group.

Last year she was awarded the Bar to the Award for Merit for distinguished service

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