This October, can you complete 310,000 steps? 

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That’s right, it's back! A favourite in the Sands' events calendar, our October challenge is back for Baby Loss Awareness Week. Will you challenge yourself to 10,000 steps every day?

Sands want to ensure that everyone affected by the loss of a baby gets the support they need and deserve when facing the toughest of time.  We want to campaign for change and support research so that fewer babies die and so that fewer families experience the pain of losing a baby. Please step forward.   

Whether you run, walk, dance or climb, be part of the team taking on #StepsForSands


Sign up by joining the Facebook group:

310,000 Steps in October 2022
Private group · 4,165 members
Join Group
In this group, find out where to register for your free t-shirt and pin badge, how to activate your fundraiser, and inspiration to keep you going for the whole of October.

 

Resources

Digital tracker - download a digital tracker to record your steps here (there's one in your pack also!)

Badges - download badges to share your progress with friends and family.

Sponsorship form - download this form to collet cash donations. You can then pay these onto your Facebook fundraiser and send us a photo/scan of the form to allow us to claim Gift Aid/

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You may have questions about the challenge. If you need to speak to a member of our team, you can email steps@sands.org.uk – but we’re quite busy to it may take us a couple of days to get back to you. In the meantime, you can read our FAQs below.

FAQs:

How do I sign up?

To sign up to the challenge, join the 310,000 steps group by joining the Facebook group.

Once you’re in the group, you can register for your t-shirt, set up your fundraiser, get tips, be inspired and find out anything you want to know about the challenge! 

I don’t have Facebook but want to take part. How do I do this?

No problem! Simply fill out the registration form here.

We will send you a fundraising pack and t-shirt and you can set up an online fundraiser on Justgiving.

I’ve just signed up, now what?

Firstly, join the Facebook Group we set up for this challenge. Once you’re in the group, you can register for your t-shirt, set up your fundraiser, get tips, be inspired and find out anything you want to know about the challenge! 

Is there an entry fee?

There is no entry fee for this challenge but we do however ask you to fundraise as part of your challenge. Facebook Fundraisers are the easiest way to raise money. You can set one up in a few seconds by clicking here. And then it’s really easy to share the page with your Facebook friends.

Is there a fundraising target?

We have no minimum or maximum amount that we would like you to raise. From our point of view, no matter how much money you raise, it will go towards supporting bereaved families across the UK.

How do I raise money?

Facebook Fundraisers are the easiest way to raise money. You can set one up in a few seconds here. And then it's really easy to share the page with your Facebook friends. 

What is a Facebook Fundraiser?

A Facebook Fundraiser is an easy way to collect sponsorship for your challenge. It is simple to set up and very easy for friends and family to donate to it without having to leave Facebook.

Set up your Facebook fundraiser.

My fundraiser ended before I finished the challenge. Can you re-start it?

If your fundraiser ends, there's unfortunately no way to re-start it. However, if this does happen, you can still set up a new fundraiser to raise money for Sands - and we'll know that your fundraising is split between the two.

Can I just raise money offline with a sponsorship form?

Absolutely. You can collect sponsorship in any way you like. We simply recommend Facebook Fundraisers for this challenge as they’re easy and hassle-free, but if you’d like a sponsorship form, you can download one here.

Can I raise money on another online platform like Justgiving?

Yes, if you would like. Facebook sends the money directly to us and doesn’t charge you or us any fees, but if you would like to set up a fundraising page on another online platform, we recommend Justgiving. 

How do I get my free t-shirt?

We'll send you a t-shirt  after you put your address and t-shirt size in here and set up your fundraiser.

My t-shirt doesn't fit / I ordered a different size. Can you change it?

Of course. Please email shop@shop-sands.org.uk to let us know what size you received, and what size you need. We'll then send a new t-shirt with an envelope to return the other.

When will I get my fundraising pack and t-shirt?

You should receive your pack within 10 working days of signing up. If you don't, please email shop@shop-sands.org.uk and we can look into this for you.

What is in my fundraising pack?

A Sands t-shirt, a Baby Loss Awareness Week pin badge and a calendar for you to mark off your steps.

My family want to do the challenge with me. Can they have t-shirts?

No problem! Simply ask them to fill out the registration form here and we will send them fundraising packs and t-shirts.

If they're not fundraising, you can buy additional t-shirts here.

How do I keep track of how many steps I've done?

The Health app on iPhone or Google Fit app on Android both keep track of how many steps you do each day. There’s other apps available so do pick whichever works best for you.  

If you have a pedometer, sports watch, Apple Watch or FitBit, these can usually keep track of your steps too. 

Once you're done for the day, mark off your steps on your paper tracker, included in your pack.

Do I have to walk my steps, or can I jog, run, climb or dance?

It’s up to you! We think most people will walk the steps, but if you want to complete them a different way, then go for it! Just be sure to post your progress and updates on your Facebook Fundraising page so friends and family can cheer you on and we can see how you’re doing too!

Do my daily steps around the house count? Does a football game count? Can I do my steps on a treadmill?

There are people of all levels of fitness doing this challenge. The important thing is that you're doing something that challenges you. This will vary from person to person, so tailor the challenge however you like. It should be tough, but doable. You should feel satisfied when you finish it! And we appreciate every single step you do to help save babies’ lives. 

What if I don't complete the challenge?

The only thing that matters is that you challenge yourself. Do as much as you can. Every step helps. 

Can I start late or early?

Of course! So long as your complete 310,000 steps in 31 days, it doesn’t matter if you start early, late or need to miss a day in October.

Where will my friends' money go?

Directly to us at Sands. You don't have to worry about this. It happens automatically through Facebook. 

Someone I know accidentally donated to my Facebook Fundraiser. Can you issue them a refund?

Unfortunately we can’t issue refunds - Facebook must do this. People can request a refund themselves from Facebook by following the below steps:

Send them this link: https://www.facebook.com/help/contact/162031714239823

  1. Select — I donated to a fundraiser on Facebook
  2. Select — I want a refund for my donation(s)
  3. Select — I made a donation by accident. Find their donation in the dropdown and request the refund.

Do I have to prove I’ve completed the challenge?

You don’t need to prove you’ve completed the steps – we trust you! You can post videos, pictures and updates on your Facebook Fundraiser and in the group though, so we can see and congratulate you on your progress. Sharing updates is also a great way to show those who have sponsored you that you’re committed to completing the challenge.

How do I send you my sponsorship form?

If you’ve collected cash donations and have a completed sponsorship form, do scan and email this to us at steps@sands.org.uk so we claim any gift aid. If you’re not able to scan or send us a clear photograph, drop us an email anyway and we can let you know where to send your form via post.

Will I get a medal?

Everyone who raises over £150 will get a medal and certificate after the challenge ends. You don't need to do anything to get this. If we need any extra details from you, we'll be in touch.

If you move house, please let us know by emailing steps@sands.org.uk

How do I pay in my fundraising?

If you’ve collected offline fundraising, the easiest way to pay this to Sands if by donating it to your Facebook fundraiser.

If you don't have one, you can also donate on our websiteMake sure to say that your money is for your step challenge so that we can make sure it is added to your total.

If you’re not able to donate this way, then drop us an email to steps@sands.org.uk and we can discuss other ways of getting the donation to us.

When will my medal arrive?

Due to the number of people taking on the challenge, your medal might take a little longer to arrive. Please be patient with us as we send these out.

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