Lucas’ amazing million steps for grandad’s charity

Mum’s pride at 8-yr-old’s fundraising challenge

THE mother of an eight-year-old boy on his way to walking a million steps for charity has said she is “amazed by his commitment”.

Lucas Fox is aiming to walk 280 miles – the distance from his home in Donaghadee, Co Down, to Cork – in around six weeks.

He is raising money for Vasculitis UK, inspired by his grandfather who suffers from the rare autoimmune disorder, which causes blood vessels to become inflamed and results in symptoms such as a high temperature, pain and tiredness.

Having started his challenge in late September, Lucas and his mother, Michaela Fox, are currently averaging more than 20,000 steps on the days they choose to head out walking – with a current step count of more than 550,000.

The proud mum, 42, said the idea arose after Lucas’ Cub Scout group had been discussing badges and mentioned fundraising.

Michaela said: “They do their own fundraiser, but he came home and said, ‘Mummy, I want to do some fundraising’.

“His sister and him came up with the idea of doing it for Vasculitis UK because my dad has vasculitis... I don’t know where the million steps came from, but it just kind of evolved.

Whenever we say let’s go he says, ‘OK, I’ll get my trainers’ MICHAELA FOX CO DOWN YESTERDAY

IMMENSE

“I’m completely amazed by his commitment.”

Registered nurse Michaela said the support from their local town has been “immense” and Lucas has raised over £880 on the Gofundme so far, which his mother said they “never envisaged”.

She added: “We’ve been overwhelmed. People are actually asking us to put the routes [online] and they’re driving to find us to hand us cash.”

Michaela said an anonymous donor even contacted their local shoe shop and bought Lucas a new pair of trainers.

She added: “I’m so, so proud. Whenever we say, ‘Right, let’s go for a walk,’ he just goes, ‘OK, I’ll get my trainers.’ He hasn’t once said, ‘I can’t be bothered today’.

“While we walk, Lucas loves to practise his times tables and spellings.

“He has taken every single bit of it in his stride.”

To donate to Lucas’ Gofundme, go to gofundme.com/f/lucass-1-millionsteps.

Lucas Fox with his family QUITE THE FEET

ON THE MOVE Lucas & Michaela