STAFF at a Steeton company have taken steps – 7,147,662 of them – to support a mental health organisation.

Workers at Acorn Stairlifts tackled a month-long steps challenge, raising money for Keighley-based It's Worth Talking About.

Each of the 21 employees who took part pledged to walk at least 200,000 steps during the challenge, collecting sponsorship and donations 'en route'.

And the team not only amassed a seven-million-plus steps total, but it raised over £614 – with the company donating a further £250 to boost the funds.

Walkers were encouraged to take photos along their routes, which then featured on a weekly in-house totaliser.

Top of the table when it came to individual step tallies was Kim Briggs, from Acorn’s finance team, who clocked-up 580,996.

The Walk with Acorn initiative was staged to coincide with National Walking Month and Mental Health Awareness Month.

Two representatives of It's Worth Talking About, Ryan Anderton and Zoe Townsley, visited the company's headquarters at Millennium Business Park to meet the walkers and thank them for their efforts.

It's Worth Talking About runs free community-based mental health peer support groups and sessions in Keighley, Haworth, Bingley, Wilsden, Thornton, Silsden and Bradford.

As well as groups for men and women, it also operates a successful youth group in Haworth and is planning to set-up a second ­– in the South Craven area – which the Acorn donation will go towards.

Ryan said: "The isolation that Covid-19 brought has made many people realise how little they have outside the house in terms of positive and supportive relationships. We have people attending our groups to widen their social circle and receive support from others in a similar position."

Zoe said: "The pandemic has shown how mental health issues can affect people from all walks of life – and more people are reaching out for support. This donation will help us to provide the support where it’s needed locally."

It's Worth Talking About is a not-for-profit, volunteer-led service.

Formed in March, 2020, it was originally set-up as a single men's mental health peer support group in Keighley – but it has developed into a multi-group, multi-sex organisation covering the Worth and Aire valleys.

The organisation provides safe, confidential spaces for men and women to talk about anything that's affecting their wellbeing, mental health or quality of life.

There are trained facilitators at each group.

For further information, visit itsworthtalkingabout.org.