One Million Steps for Diabetes UK — What I Learned and Why I’m Still Walking

2026 Update

Diabetes UK’s One Million Step Challenge is back from 1 July to 30 September 2026. I’m not officially doing the challenge this year, but I’m still walking most days because it has become one of the best habits I picked up from last year’s challenge.

The Challenge

This summer, I set myself a challenge: to walk one million steps in support of Diabetes UK. Step by step, day by day, I logged every walk — through sunshine, drizzle, and even those late-night laps in the dark.

As of 27 September 2025, I’d done it. One million steps. But, as it turned out, I wasn’t quite done yet.

Why I Took on the One Million Step Challenge

From July to September, Diabetes UK runs the Million Step Challenge — inviting people to walk their way to fitness while raising vital funds for research and support.

For me, it was personal. Having been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, walking has become my way of staying healthy, clear-headed, and connected.

The Journey

Along the way I walked in some pretty memorable places. The French Riviera, where blue seas and warm air made each step feel light. The English Riviera in Devon, with its dramatic coastlines. And closer to home, Barry Island in South Wales — better known as the filming spot of Gavin & Stacey, and a lovely place for a family walk.

Sometimes, my wife Elaine and our twins joined me — making the miles fly by. Other times it was just me, my ear pods, and my soundtrack of choice: Chicane. Their music has been with me since the 90s, and it became the rhythm of my walking that summer.

Walking along the seafront in the French Riviera during summer — Walking on the French Riviera — a highlight of my Million Step Challenge journey.

Mike walking along a quiet green canal path — Many of my million steps were along peaceful canals and local footpaths.

Family walking together at Barry Island seafront — Elaine and the twins walked with me sometimes — like this day at Barry Island.

Reaching One Million Steps

On 27 September 2025, my total ticked past 1,000,000 steps. That’s roughly the equivalent of walking from Cardiff to Aberdeen — a huge milestone that felt both surreal and satisfying.

Map showing the distance from Cardiff to Aberdeen equal to one million steps challenge — One million steps = roughly the distance between Cardiff and Aberdeen.

Not every step was easy. Some evenings, I found myself walking in the rain, determined to keep the daily average up. The challenge gave me a target, but it also gave me something more useful: a habit.

Mike walking in the rain determined to continue the challenge — Rain or shine — some of the steps had to come when the weather was tougher.

My watch became both a tracker and a motivator. Every evening I logged my steps into the Diabetes UK app, and the numbers kept me going. In the photo below, the watch is actually in power saving mode — so the heart rate shows as resting rather than walking — but the step count is real, and that’s what mattered most.

Sports watch step counter during the one million steps challenge — My sports watch showing a daily total — proof that every step counted.

A Personal Dedication

This challenge was not just about me. My late dad also developed diabetes later in life. He didn’t have the support, the awareness, or the tools I’m lucky to have now. I often thought of him during walks, knowing he would have understood this journey in a way few others could.

Here he is, on his beloved boat on the Thames, doing something he loved — remembered as I made these steps for both of us.

Mike Fletcher’s late father steering his boat on the River Thames — My late dad on his boat on the Thames — walking this challenge in his memory.

Did I Make It to John O’Groats?

After reaching one million steps, my next goal was to keep going and virtually reach John O’Groats by Christmas.

I didn’t quite make it.

But I don’t see that as a failure. The real win was that walking became part of my everyday life. I’m still walking most days now, not because an app tells me to, but because I know how much it helps my type 2 diabetes, my mood, and my general sense of getting on with life.

Why Walking Still Matters

Walking is more than exercise for me. It’s how I manage my type 2 diabetes — and how I remind myself that, even in your sixties, life can still hold purpose and movement.

But it’s also a tribute. Doing the challenge in memory of my dad gave it meaning beyond fitness. And writing about my diagnosis and daily life with diabetes helps make this personal journey useful for others.

Thinking About Doing the One Million Step Challenge?

If you’re thinking about taking part in the Diabetes UK One Million Step Challenge, my advice is simple: don’t worry about being perfect.

Start with what you can manage
Build walking into your normal day
Use a watch or phone to track progress
Don’t beat yourself up over missed days
Let the challenge create a habit, not just a target

For me, the most valuable part wasn’t just reaching one million steps. It was discovering that daily walking could become part of who I am.

How You Can Help

My 2025 Diabetes UK fundraiser has now finished, but you can still support Diabetes UK directly or take part in the challenge yourself.

Find out about the Diabetes UK One Million Step Challenge

You can also follow my wider journey on my YouTube channel, SixtyRocks: https://www.youtube.com/@SixtyRocks

Closing Thoughts

One million steps changed more than I expected.

I didn’t quite make it all the way to John O’Groats by Christmas, but I gained something more useful: a walking habit that has stayed with me.

Step by step — for my health, my family, and in memory of my dad — I’m still walking.