Retired Burnley grandfather becomes the 'three-and-a-half-million steps man' in his bid to keep Covid-19 at bay

As almost every other activity, apart from walking, has gone on hold during the pandemic, Graham went from someone who did the bare minimum to clocking up 10,000 steps a day.

By the end of 2020, Graham had walked 3,789,200 steps which is just under 1,800 miles! And this averages out at 10,000 steps a day for the entire year.

Graham, who is 65 and lives in Cliviger with his wife Carole, said: "The best thing I ever bought in 2020, without doubt, were my waterproof boots.

"Nobody in their right mind could suggest that 2020 was a good year.

"Many lives have been lost and all our lives have changed but with a positive attitude we can come through it stronger.

"I’m going into 2021 fitter and healthier and more optimistic than I have in years.. and we have vaccine."

The Graham of today is very different from the man he was this time last year. He readily admits he was 'scared stiff' and believed that if he contracted Covid-19 his underlying health issues meant he would not survive it.

Coupled with a major health issue that required an operation, Graham's outlook on life was very negative especially as precious time with his two grandchildren, aged eight and 11 months, was also off limits.

Graham came through the operation in February and when medics told him he could push himself to get back to full health he took the doctor's orders.

Walking in the beautiful countryside close to his home with his dogs, Peppa and the aptly named Boris who arrived in the family at the start of the first lockdown in March, went from being a duty to a pleasure he looked forward to.

And Graham was fired up when he saw a fund raising campaign by the Diabetic Association to encourage people to walk one million steps or 10,000 steps a day for three months.

He said: "I decided I would give it a go but I didn't want to ask anyone for sponsorship as times have been tough financially for so many people."

That was in July and it soon became something of an obsession for Graham who began organising his days around his walks.

He said: " I just had to get my steps in I did it, some days by the skin of my teeth, especially when we went on holiday to Greece in late September and I resorted to walking round the luggage carousel at Athens airport."

Graham's efforts have paid off for he has lost one-and-a-half-stone and admits to feeling healthier than he has done in many years.

He said: "My breathing is better and mentally I am in a much better place."

Now Graham, who is the former owner of the Lancashire Board and Paper Company, cannot recommend walking enough to anyone who is fighting to keep their spirits up as the third lockdown continues.

He said: "I am very lucky to have beautiful countryside on my doorstep but Burnley is surrounded by it within easy walking distance and we have some fantastic parks to walk in.

"The beauty of walking is that anyone can do it, you don't need a gym or expensive equipment.

"I really recommend anyone who is struggling to give it a go."