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Syrah Arnold

Do It 4 Youth 120 Virtual Challenge 2026

Help me reach my goal of £50

My Activity Tracking

121
mi

My target 120 mi

I’m fundraising for The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award

I'm supporting the DofE through this challenge because I am passionate about giving young people positive opportunities, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds who need our support and encouragement. Please consider supporting them through encouraging this old woman's efforts! Thank you x

I'm taking part in the DofE Do it 4 Youth Step Challenge walking, running or wheeling 120 miles throughout March, raising vital funds for the DofE charity to help more young people facing financial barriers. DofE provides access to an Awards programme which can enrich and transform young people's lives.  Please support me by sponsoring as much as you can.

Please Help Me
Reach My Goal

Raised

£516 + £86 GiftAid

My Goal

£50

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My Updates

Easter - last Thank you to everyone for your brilliant support

Sunday 5th Apr
WOW!

I was hoping to get to ten times the £50 original goal! Thank you so much to everyone for your brilliant support and encouragement. Our efforts together will help disadvantaged teenagers somewhere access and engage with this scheme and the wider world - helping to shape beautiful young lives positively. Shout out to the Bevans for getting the total over the £500 mark this Easter! Love you all, thank you so very much. 

Now for some head-clearing gardening! Have a beautiful Easter xxx 

Image: son and I at one of his DofE volunteering posts

The final piece - 28th March 2026

Saturday 28th Mar
A short and slow walk as my knee's really playing up. This was around the center of Ely with my son - so a fitting conclusion to my challenge as my son has completed both Bronze and Silver DofE. We also included a part of Ely (the small garden next to the Cathedral) that he loved as a toddler, so that was extra special. A little over two miles, taking my total to a little over 120 miles. Ill or hobbling every day bar one for this challenge - that I did not expect! So pleased that I continued and truly hope that the generosity and support of loved ones will help one or more young people access this scheme and benefit from it.

Many thanks everyone x

Image, son and I today in what his two-year-old self called his 'secret garden' 

27th, two short hikes totalling 1.75 miles

Friday 27th Mar
1.75 miles done today, leaving 1.75 miles to target!

Two short hikes around the historic town of Wisbech. Saddens my heart to see this town so neglected given it's past importance and historical figures who came from here (Thomas Clarkson and Octavia Hill - inspiring people). 

26th March

Thursday 26th Mar
Despite a hard frost, this morning was not bitterly cold like yesterday.

Three and a half miles done today.
Three and a half miles left.

25th March. I now have Seven days left, seven miles left ....

Wednesday 25th Mar
A bitterly cold and windy four mile walk this morning. Now I'm home the sun is shinning! My knee's really painful, so every mile now I am truly feeling ....

The distance I covered this morning means that I now have seven days left (inc today) and seven miles left. Hoping that a few more loved ones will support my painful limbs and this worthwhile cause.

I've not got around to tippexing out the word 'virtual' .... come on DofE, show us oldies some respect! I have, however, promised everyone supporting my efforts with a minimum of £10 donation a chance to win four signed prints (shown on my Facebook page). Thank you to everyone encouraging me so far, your contributions will help teenager/s somewhere to access and engage with this brilliant scheme  x

24th March, three short hikes totalling 3.19 miles

Tuesday 24th Mar
Have unfortunately got a painful knee, so the rest of this challenge will most likely be slower than I would have liked. However, managed .50 and .65 miles in Peterborough today, followed by 2.04 in March (the town!).... believe that leaves me with 11 miles to go .....
maps with distances shared in picture gallery x

23rd March, managed 5.4 miles despite a painful knee ....

Monday 23rd Mar
Nearly there! Definitely need a bath with Epsom Salts tonight!

22nd March, a hike with my dear friend Clare Cake - and broke through the 100 miles point, acheiving two days worth of milage!

Sunday 22nd Mar
Lovely walk - determined to reach that target!

25.64 miles today .... then I had to run in the evening from carpark to concert hall as was running late! That hurt!!

Sunday 22nd Mar
A brilliant hike which took just under eight hours (inc lunch break and toilet breaks) - went with Charlotte, who's training for a mountain hike, and so was made even better knowing we were supporting one another's efforts. What life and friendships is about.

20th March - second short evening hike

Sunday 22nd Mar
Ignore the date on the photo - that's what happens at my age when typing stuff on a mobile! Another 1.27 miles, bringing the total for the 20th to 3.35 miles.

20th March, first short hike pm

Sunday 22nd Mar
1.02 miles this evening

20th, a 'quick' 1.06 miles on the treadmill

Friday 20th Mar
every bit helps me reach that target!

19th March, a quick two miles in Wisbech

Friday 20th Mar
Managed to fit in a 2 mile hike around Wisbech before picking son up from school - every bit helps!

19th March, 8.51 miles

Thursday 19th Mar
The woods gifted me a stick, which was just as well as I was totally stuck in the waterlogged woodland, between water and deep mud! So my hike ended up being slower than I would have liked, but I did get to see five deer, lots of watership down rabbits, birds galore! A frosty start which brightened into another hot and sunny day. 

17th and 18th March

Wednesday 18th Mar
Well on the 17th I only managed 1.04 miles, but made up for that on the 18th with 9.07 miles. Beautiful morning, loads of bird song and sightings, plus rabbits and deer to keep my shadow and I company! 

16th March, a 6.54 mile hike to start the day off!

Monday 16th Mar
Despite vertigo still plaguing me and the last dregs of my cold clinging on, managed six and a half miles this morning. Need to catch up on those missing miles ....

14.03.26 a four mile walk with hubbie while son revises!

Saturday 14th Mar
Lovely walk as we met more creatures than humans! No, seriously it was such a good nature experience - deer, rabbits, a bird of prey who almost got a magpie supper, many other birds ... and sunshine despite the chill in the air. What's more, I had the most horrendous vertigo headache, which this walk cleared up ... no pills involved, just nature and walking ....

12th and 13th March, two blustery walks! Totalling a little over seven miles

Friday 13th Mar
Well the sun is out but it's cold, cold, cold! Managed two walks on Thursday and Friday - painfully aware that my illness has put me behind with my distance, but I'll get it done! 

Now for that cuppa!

11th March, two short walks during recovery from illness

Wednesday 11th Mar
Two short walks totaling 3.37 miles. Painfully aware that my illness has put me behind with this challenge as well as GCSE support for my son and my work ..... but I'll get there!

Image shared is from today's shorter walk. Other images in gallery x

8th March, couple of slow walks as still poorly

Sunday 8th Mar
just over four miles today combined, due to three factors: I'm still poorly, with my vertigo deciding to join my horrendous cold a couple of days back - makes moving great fun! My husband decided I shouldn't be walking alone (though during the week I probably will ... !) and joined me today. He has bad arthritis in his feet, which meant a slower walk for me (don't mind, we had a 'date'!) So, did one short walk, quick break, followed by the second walk, which was going to be much longer but we bumped into Nick ... a friend we'd not seen in 13 years .... so I do admit to ending the walk and going for a drink! 

More walks to come

More catching up with friends too, because that also is very important 

4th March, taking my head-cold for a walk!

Wednesday 4th Mar
Feeling rather yucky after a day wiped out yesterday due to a nasty head-cold that took hold a couple of days ago, but am pleased that I forced my legs and head out today, achieving 4.02 miles in just over an hour.  

A second walk on 2nd March - more relaxed than the first!

Monday 2nd Mar
Walk with hubbie after lunch and before school run ...1.53 miles in 34 minutes. Must admit to sore feet after this mornings fast walk!

Details for my five mile hike

Monday 2nd Mar
https://www.komoot.com/tour/2806341934?ref=aso&share_token=aUNsG6sK85eMk5282bxbivGJ43TbimxA9uBrSVXP8Z0uZ4Ag36

2nd March, speedy and tough 5 mile hike

Monday 2nd Mar
Today I rushed over some rather rough terrain between Chatteris and Somersham, managing 5.02 miles in an hour and a half. 

Good workout pre birthday lunch with my husband!

The first ten miles

Sunday 1st Mar

Today my creativity took a friend and I on a ten mile walk as I begin this month's challenge of walking, running, or cycling 120 miles throughout March to raise funds which will enable disadvantaged young people to join the Duke of Edinburgh scheme (DofE). 

I hope that my efforts throughout March 2026 will help a teenager somewhere access this brilliant project, and in doing so build their skills and confidence.

The amount stated is £50 but I hope to raise far, far more than that to be honest.  Thanks to the wonderful generosity of some friends ahead of today I have actually already surpassed this amount. I really hope others will also support my efforts and importantly contribute towards disadvantaged young people accessing such important opportunities. With thanks and love to all those supporting x 

With much love

Syrah x

Thank you to my Sponsors

£58.56

Wmw

Good luck Syrah!

£50

Sarah Bevan

From the Bevan's, well done you are absolutely amazing xxx

£40

Hubby

Good luck. Proud of you.

£27.05

Nikki Adam

Good luck

£27.05

Chris Lee

Go for it Syrah.

£25

Elaine Wright

Good luck lovely xxx

£21.84

Simon Goddard

£21.84

Charlotte, Chloe & Isaac

You're doing fantastic Syrah, well done 💪

£21.84

Irina Derham

Keep going! Well done!

£20

Dad

A little support for your fundraising. Well done you. Love you lots xxx

£16.56

Alison Chaves

£16.56

Tanya

Way to go hon and for a good cause.

£16.56

The Angelinetta's

We are super proud of you Syrah!! Such a thoughtful cause and a brilliant achievement. Xx

£16.56

Simon Barnes

Well done Syrah I’m proud of you xx

£11.33

Clare

£11.33

Marie

Good luck Syrah, best wishes Mariex

£11.33

Sarah Legg

Good luck with it all Syrah!

£11.33

Joanne Kemp-stares

Well done Syrah …. Excellent work for an excellent cause ! Go you !

£11.33

Gwen B

Go for it girl your doing great.

£11.33

Matt

Good luck Syrah

£11.33

Christine Arnold

Well done Syrah

£11.33

Helena

Well done you 😊

£11.09

Rebekah O’driscoll

Amazing challenge and such a great cause x

£10

Betts Family

£10

Jackie Norris

Well done x

£10

Penny S

Run rabbit run xx

£5

Kerry

Well done!

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