John has been taking part in the Diabetes UK One Million Steps Challenge across July, August and September. He was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes two years ago. This was the incentive for him to make significant lifestyle changes. Inspired by the book ‘Fixing Dad’ and helped by his wife Rachel and children, he lost three stone in the first year.
He told us that the challenge is a good way to encourage anyone to get into the habit of walking, jogging or dancing. John decided walking was for him. The challenge is also a way of raising money for research into understanding the causes of diabetes. As the charity realised ‘one million steps’ sounded very daunting, they also brought in a 500k challenge and a 1.7 million challenge for those who were really keen. John chose 500k. Normally he would be working in London and the walking as part of the commute would have helped meet the challenge. Working at home he has needed to make time in his day for local walks. His target is to raise £1,000. Currently he has reached £600 and his firm will chip in a further £350. If you would like to know more, maybe thinking about taking part in July 2021 check out
https://steps.diabetes.org.uk/john-9
You can also support John. To encourage you, one million steps is 10,870 a day. 10 minutes walk has approximately 1,300 for a 1 km walk, 2,000 for a 1 mile walk. 10 minutes serious dancing is 2,000 steps.
Tonight’s playlist
HeatherLyn – When dies the day – from the EP ‘Dance of the deep’, released 18th of September.
Glen Campbell – Rhinestone cowboy – Phyl requested to hear something by Glen.
Eagles – Journey of the sorcerer – chosen by John because it is the theme tune to The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.
Kate Bush – Experiment IV – chosen by John.
Hugh Jackman & Zac Efron – The other side – from The Greatest Showman – chosen by John.
Paul Carrick – Sleep on it
Birthday’s quiz
Pink, aged 41. We heard A million dreams.
Al Stewart celebrating his 75th birthday – we heard ‘year of the cat’ from 1976. Below Al Stewart, then and now.
Freddie Mercury RIP. Freddie, who died in 1991, would have been 74 years old this week. We heard The Great Pretender.
Guest participant John was the runaway winner tonight, 5-0. His imaginary prize was some foot-cooling lotion.
Kool & the Gang – Cherish. Patrick requested this 1985 USA no 2 and UK no 4 to remember founder member of the band Ronald Bell who died this week.
Chart from this week in 1983.
No 1. UB40 – Red, red wine.
No 3. Culture Club – Karma chameleon.
No 8. Madness – The wings of a dove.
Joe Stilgoe – Waterloo sunset.
Zombies – Friends of mine
Red House Blues Duo – I know I’ve been changed.
Beach Boys – Add some music to your day.
Zac Brown – Someone I used to know.
Join me next week when my guest is fantasy fiction author Philip S. Davies.