A Mansfield Scouts group has praised two of its members for completing a walking challenge to raise money towards a community minibus.

As reported in the News Journal earlier this year, Steve and Joyce Cree, who are both in their 70s, set themselves a target of walking an extra one million steps each before the end of May to fund buying a new wheelchair-friendly minibus for the 10th Mansfield Scout Group.

The group is based at the Methodist Church on Chesterfield Road South and said goodbye to its 19-year-old minibus last year.

Now the couple have raised hundreds of pounds towards a new minibus, which can be hired by other community groups to provide transport for people who otherwise might have missed out on activities.

The 10th Mansfield Scout Group thanked the duo for walking an extra 1,002,467 steps each, around 410 miles, saying their “hard work and dedication has helped to raise money for something that helps a whole community”.

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.

He has held various roles throughout his adult Scouting life.

His wife, Joyce, is a member of the trustees alongside her husband and has also held a number of roles in Scouting.

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

Steve explained: “My wife and I 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 due to lockdown. We are now hopefully coming to the end of the lockdown restrictions and the Scout Group is looking forward to being able to get out and about once again — as are the community who have previously used our minibus.”

Whatever the weather, the couple were regularly seen walking various trails in Clipstone Forest, Vicar Water Country Park and Sherwood Pines, as they clocked up the extra million steps and logged their treks via walking apps.

Donations can still be made via peoplesfundraising.com/donation/OneMillionSteps-Minibus-Challenge

10th Mansfield Scout Group needs more adult volunteers across all its sections — Beaver Scouts, Cubs, Scouts and Explorer Scouts. If you can help, email [email protected]
Alternatively you can find your local volunteering opportunity at: scouts.org.uk/volunteer