33,333 STEPS – that’s what one man will be running and walking each day this month as he looks to complete a combined one million steps to raise money for Salisbury Hospital.

Kev Aston from Shaftesbury is looking to give back to the hospital that has looked after him and his family over the years by raising £500 for the hospital’s charity, The Stars Appeal.

Mr Aston set himself the challenge of taking a million steps throughout the month of September and he has raised £120 so far.

To make things even harder, Mr Aston will be completing some of his 33,000 daily steps in fancy dress, with a weighted pack and he is even considering walking from Shaftesbury to Salisbury in nothing but speedos – something he may want to do before the weather gets colder.

“Salisbury is my main hospital,” he said. “I was born there all the way back in 1982. They fixed my broken leg when I was three years old, took my tonsils out and put grommets in my ears

“Both my children were born there, and my immediate and extended family have been looked after at the hospital for many surgeries and examinations. It feels important to give something back.”

Mr Aston said he is no stranger to getting active to raise money for important causes.

“Back in 2019 I ran from Yeovil to Stonehenge to raise money for Yeovil Hospital in memory of the wife of a close friend of mine who had been a staff nurse at the hospital,” he said.

“Later that year, I ran a marathon up and down Gold Hill to raise money and food items for Shaftesbury Open House charity.

“I had planned to raise money with a run the following year for the Stars Appeal, but unfortunately the pandemic hit and curtailed my running adventures, but now I have found something I can do to finally raise some money for a fantastic charity.

“I do a fair bit of running and walking, not quite to the extent of a daily 33,000+ steps mind! It’s going to quite challenging fitting it all in around work and school, but my family are fully onboard and very supportive.

“I will be doing some whacky things to help raise awareness of the challenge, some walks carrying a weighted pack, some in fancy dress, I am threatening to walk from Shaftesbury to Salisbury one weekend during the challenge in nothing more than Speedos!

“Some friends and family have already offered to join me on some walks and our Goldendoodle Willow will join me for a lot of it.

“I’m really looking forward to the challenge, I know it’s not going to be easy but that alongside raising money will make it all the more rewarding.”

To donate, visit Mr Aston’s JustGiving page, where you can also see updates on his progress.

For more information on the Stars Appeal, visit their website.