Walking Through Grief: Manchester Leader’s 2,000km Journey Across Europe for Families in Need
By Charities Correspondent
Manchester MD Stephen Johnson is walking across Europe to support bereaved children and families with additional needs and may be on track to set a new Guinness World Record for the most steps walked in a single month.
This summer, while many are enjoying time off, one man is walking through five countries with a mission that’s deeply personal and profoundly inspiring.
Stephen Johnson, Managing Director of Manchester-based Quooker UK & Ireland, is walking 2,000 kilometres in 31 consecutive days. That’s 64 kilometres a day, over 83,000 steps, no rest days, no shortcuts.
It’s the equivalent of 45 marathons back-to-back.
But this isn’t about endurance for its own sake. It’s about turning pain into purpose. Stephen walks in memory of his late father, Neville Johnson, who passed away last year, and his mother, Sandra, whom he lost when he was 18 months old.
His journey is a tribute to love, loss, and the strength to keep going.
“Grief never leaves you,” says Stephen. “But it can be a force for good. I want children and families to know they’re not alone, that hope is always possible.”
He’s raising awareness for two charities close to his heart:
Grief Encounter, which helps children and young people navigate bereavement and The Friendship Circle, which supports children and adults with disabilities and their families.
“Stephen’s dedication is a stark reminder of the silent, unspoken courage it takes to face each day after sudden loss. He embodies the strength it takes to carry sorrow and still move forward,” says Suzy Turner, CEO of Grief Encounter.
“His walk is a powerful symbol of inclusion and compassion,” adds Mimi Lyons of The Friendship Circle.
A Journey That Could Set a World Record
Stephen’s challenge isn’t just extraordinary; it could be unprecedented. With over 2.6 million steps planned across 2,000 kilometres in just 31 days, he may be on track to set a new Guinness World Record for the most steps walked in a single month.
While official recognition is still pending, the scale and intensity of his journey already place him among the most determined endurance walkers in the world.
But for Stephen, this isn’t about records, it’s about resilience, remembrance, and reaching others.
He’s documenting every step with daily updates and videos, inviting people to walk alongside him in spirit. And through it all, he’s showing that true strength isn’t just physical, it’s emotional. It’s the quiet courage to keep going, even when the road is long and the weight is heavy.
“We often measure success in numbers,” Stephen says. “But real success is knowing when to be kind, when to ask for help, and when to stand up for others.”
How You Can Help
Quooker’s national showroom network is rallying behind the campaign, promoting a charity raffle, hosting local walks, and sharing Stephen’s story.
Anyone who donates £10 or more is entered into a prize draw to win a full Quooker tap system, with multiple winners announced throughout the walk.
So far, Stephen has raised over £25,000 just six days into the challenge, with more support pouring in daily.
Visit www.quooker.co.uk to donate directly or follow Stephen’s journey, visit: https://www.quooker.co.uk/charity/walk/2025
To learn more, visit griefencounter.org.uk and friendshipcircle.co.uk
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