Rutland veteran and Invictus Games captain for 2021 urges people to Step 2 It in aid of Help for Heroes as it bids to plug funding gap left by coronavirus

A veteran is fronting a new socially-distanced fundraising challenge in aid of Help for Heroes as the charity bids to plug the funding gap left by coronavirus.

Rachel Williamson, from Oakham, is launching Step 2 It - a challenge that calls on people to walk 10,000 steps a day for 30 days.

A former RAF senior aircraftsman, Rachel was medically discharged after an incident playing rugby. It left Rachel with no function in her right arm and a severe tremor.

Now Rachel, 31 hopes to motivate people to sign up to Step 2 It for Help for Heroes - a charity which she says helped her to step towards a brighter future.

“I was at my lowest point in early 2018, a dark place, and I hated myself. I also had to learn how to do everything again, such as writing for example. And I had to learn to ask for and accept help,” Rachel said.

Through Help for Heroes’ Sports Recovery programme, Rachel regained the confidence her injury had taken away from her and joined the Invictus UK programme.

At the 2018 games she won two gold medals, three silvers and one bronze. She was named the first female captain of Team UK for this year’s games before coronavirus forced the event to be postponed.

For those taking part in Step 2 It, Rachel says: “I had to convince myself again that sports are really enjoyable and good for you. Now I am the person I used to be. Thanks to you, people like me are able to get the support that we need.”

Research carried out by Help for Heroes among wounded, injured and sick veterans, serving personnel and families reveals that 56 per cent are doing less exercise than normal since the Covid-19 pandemic began, with 39 per cent saying that they don’t feel motivated to exercise. This is despite the fact that 65 per cent of respondents find exercise is something they can use to manage stress and anxiety.

Step 2 It asks participants to do 10,000 steps a day (or a distance of their choice) for 30 days, getting sponsors to support their challenge.

With the majority of its fundraising events being cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, Help for Heroes hopes that Step 2 It will start plugging its fundraising deficit while giving people an opportunity to get fit in a fun way.

Sign up at: Step2It.helpforheroes.org.uk