Child and Family Services is an independent community service organisation which is governed by the community. They support children and families across the entire Central Highlands region.

Coordinator of the step challenge fundraiser Rachel Kulavkovski said she was "on a mission" to find some Ararat residents who are keen to improve their fitness and raise money to support local families in need this Christmas.

"I'm hoping we can get a group of committed locals together to make a challenge," she said.

"It doesn't have to be 10,000 steps, you could make a different challenge suitable to your situation, to help raise money for the appeal to support families in need this Christmas."

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Mrs Kulavkovski said the money raised would go towards helping families who have felt the burden of COVID-19 the hardest.

"As a team we are aiming to walk 10 million steps in November to raise money for the CAFS Christmas Appeal.

"That way the funds will be available just in time for them to distribute them to families to prepare for Christmas.

"This year CAFS are seeking to support in excess of 600 local children and their families through the CAFS Christmas Appeal.

"We know that families in our community are experiencing the compounding impact of two years living through the COVID-19 pandemic and this has, simultaneously, altered their ability to earn an income and negatively affected their mental and physical health."

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Mrs Kulavkovski said the challenge was beneficial for all involved.

"The goal of 10,000 steps is the recommended daily step target for healthy adults to achieve health benefits," she said.

"Studies using the 10,000 steps per day goal have shown weight loss, improved glucose tolerance, and reduced blood pressure from increased physical activity toward achieving this goal.

"Steps can be accumulated during everyday activities such as parking further from the entrance to shops, taking stairs instead of escalators, walking while at work and walking to socialise with friends and family."

Mrs Kulavkovski said residents could take part in the fundraiser in any way they like.

"You can also participate by converting your movement into steps," she said.

"For example If you're in a wheelchair, or if you have other activities you would prefer to do such as riding a bike, there's lots of tools online that will help you convert activity into equivalent steps."

For more info about CAFS visit: www.cafs.org.au

For more information about the Christmas appeal visit: https://cafs.org.au/cafs-christmas-appeal-2021/

Join Ray White Ararat's Rebecca Phillips, among many more in joining the campaign: https://makingadifference.gofundraise.com.au/page/10MillionSteps

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