When his Quooker colleagues called him, Stephen simply answered. The only difference was that he wasn’t on the work floor among the taps, but walking through forests or across fields, his feet covered in blisters. “From taps to steps,” is how he describes the shift from his daily work to walking 46.3 kilometers every day for a month for charity. “It was unbelievably tough, exhausting, and painful, but I never once considered giving up. If I’d had to continue on my hands, I would have.”

Personal experience Stephen’s mother passed away when he was just 18 months old. He knows better than anyone the impact such a loss can have. “I was fortunate to have a strong support system, but not all children have that.” When he learned that in the UK alone, 46,300 children lose a parent each year, he decided to take action. His goal: to walk 46.3 kilometers every day for a month—one meter for each child—to raise awareness. The donations he collected went to Grief Encounter, an organization supporting bereaved children and their families. Quooker also contributed by donating taps for a fundraising giveaway.

Motivation and inspiration Stephen dedicated the entire month of August 2024 to his challenge. Every day, he walked for ten hours, split into two sessions—for 31 consecutive days. “I walked in silence, without music, so I had to rely on myself and my thoughts.” During breaks, he checked emails and handled important calls, as his work at Quooker continued. After just a few days, his feet were badly blistered, but he stayed focused and motivated. Support from friends, family, and colleagues helped him push through. “I received messages from Quooker colleagues across many countries—that was amazing. It really moved me. Apparently, my challenge touched and inspired a lot of people. I’m very grateful I was able to do it.” Stephen also saw the challenge as a tribute to his late mother, Sandra Johnson. “Through my challenge, her name kept being mentioned—that meant a lot to me.” Tragically, the weekend after this interview, his father also passed away. “His name was Neville Johnson, and he will be deeply missed by his family.”

Published on 01-10-2024