T-Rex raises a smile as Steph’s daily Leighton Buzzard walks help mental health charity

Steph Shelford, 45, completed a mile a day in January raising £558 for Mind BLMK. On the final day, having hit her £350 fundraising target, she styled out the last mile around Pages Park wearing a T-Rex costume!

Steph, who has recently been dealing with being made redundant from her job working for a vending company, said: “Several years ago I was constantly stressing and not being able to function 100 per cent with friends, family or work colleagues. One day I drove to work feeling okay and sat outside, I couldn’t go in.

“I had an overwhelming feeling I wasn’t going to be able to handle anything, not even being around people any more. I just cried and decided to drive around for several hours.

“I drove to my doctors’ surgery and waited until I could speak to my doctor. My doctor confirmed I was having a breakdown and needed help.

“I was ashamed at first to tell anyone about this as not everyone understands but I had great people around me that surprised me and I could tell them what was going on. I eventually got in touch with Mind and they helped me so much. I am forever grateful to them. Today I still have off days and that’s okay, but in general I feel good, exercise has helped immensely too.”

The idea for Steph’s costume came about during the first lockdown last year. She and her mum used to hold weekly calls with friends each week and would take it in turns to dress up. For the last call Steph dressed up as a T-Rex as Rexy was her nickname at work.

Her mum Dee said: “Steph was full of anxiety before her final walk in the costume.

“Once we were out and she saw the response from people walking up the road and people in cars beeping their horns she became more and more confident.

“By the end of the walk she was so happy to have brought a smile to people’s faces and her confidence levels are high.”

Steph would like to thank everyone for their support and sponsorship. She said if lockdown has taught us anything it is to help one another and always be kind.

To donate, visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Stephanie-Shelford