Pair take on 10,000 steps a day challenge

Construction manager Bryan Scully Snr (59) has been walking 10,000 steps a day to fundraise for Give Back Peterborough.

Totalling over 142 days so far, Bryan and friend Vicky Pine (28) have been walking together since January to raise money for the charity, which started out as a family wager.

Bryan said: “It all started with a family wager last November. I’m a New Year’s resolution type person. Since 8-9 years ago I have walked from January 1 and I have never been able to do 142 days continuously.

“I met Vicky, who is one of my son’s friends, in London, before they were attending a concert. We talked about what I would be going to do next year, I wasn’t convinced I could do it. Vicky said well if you do, I’ll do it! My son Brian was convinced she couldn’t do it. I said I would bet us both that we could beat our previous record and then off we went!”

Vicky, who lives in Bournemouth has been keeping up with the targets via video calls and daily motivational messages in their family and friends group chat. Now the duo have hit their May 22 target, winning the bet, they have signed up to continue their 142 day walking which will finish on October 12.

Bryan said: “We were never going to take the money off of him (Bryan Jnr) but we decided to donate it to a charity and we chose Give Back Peterborough. It resonates with us the work they are doing, as my son is having a baby who is due anytime now!”

During lockdown, Bryan was still dedicated to his cause and walked five miles in one journey, to adhere to government guidelines of exercising once a day. Now Bryan has several routes around his village which he frequents daily.

On the first Saturday of the month, the duo do something different to keep up their momentum. In June they walked a huge 20,000 steps in one day and this time they upped their creativity by dressing up in Americana for the 4th of July.

Dressing up as Uncle Sam, Bryan had asked his American relatives for dressing up ideas for him and Vicky, who dressed up as the Statue of Liberty. Having some more fun, every 1,000 steps they sang a song which was sponsored by those donating. The pair raised £300 in just one day doing this with a £50 donation coming in from America for Bryan singing ‘star spangled banner’.

Give Back Peterborough is a local charity that supports Women’s Aid, foodbanks and helps provide meals and snacks for school children who might otherwise go without.To donate and follow Bryan’s journey go to: https://www.gofundme.com/f/pine-scully-10000-step-challenge