Oxted Man’s Million-Step August Challenge Supports Local Addiction Charity
From Darkness to Hope: One Man's Recovery Journey
David Kerr's life hit rock bottom when alcohol dependence left him feeling trapped with no visible way forward. The 42-year-old accountant from Oxted describes those dark days as seemingly impossible to escape from, yet a chance encounter with Surrey Drug and Alcohol Care (SDAC) transformed everything. What began as a glimmer of hope—what Kerr calls a “roadmap out of the darkness”—became the foundation of his complete recovery. Through SDAC's free telephone counselling services and intensive bootcamp programme, Kerr found the support and guidance he desperately needed. His story reflects the reality facing thousands across Surrey, from Guildford to Dorking and surrounding communities, where addiction quietly affects families and individuals who often feel isolated. Kerr's willingness to speak openly about his journey demonstrates the power of accessible local services and removes the stigma many still associate with addiction recovery. Now fully recovered and working steadily, he attributes his second chance entirely to SDAC's compassionate, evidence-based approach. His gratitude has inspired him to give back in a meaningful and highly visible way during August.
A Million Steps: How One Challenge Supports Community Recovery Services
This August, David Kerr is undertaking an extraordinary physical feat: walking one million steps to raise £10,000 for the charity that saved his life. The challenge begins with the North Downs 50 Ultra Challenge during his week off work, followed by the full 99.4-mile South Downs Way trek from Winchester to Eastbourne completed over five days—averaging 40,000 steps daily. For the remaining three weeks of August, while juggling his full-time accounting role, Kerr will maintain approximately 33,000 steps per day, weaving the challenge into his everyday routine. His approach mirrors recovery itself: breaking seemingly insurmountable goals into manageable daily chunks. SDAC's bootcamp service—described by Kerr as “intensive, personal, and completely free”—operates as a lifeline for people in crisis, available at the end of a phone when hope feels distant. Every pound raised directly funds these essential services, keeping trained counsellors available for vulnerable individuals across Surrey's towns and villages. The charity operates on donations and community support, making fundraising events like Kerr's walk vital to their continued operation.
What Local Residents Should Know and How to Support
SDAC serves the entire Surrey area, including communities around Woking, East Horsley, and Horsley, offering free support regardless of financial circumstances. The organisation's telephone counselling and bootcamp services have proven transformative for countless individuals and families struggling with alcohol and drug dependence. If you or someone you know is battling addiction, SDAC's free services are accessible and confidential. Beyond reaching out for help, residents can support this vital charity through David Kerr's August fundraising challenge. Donations can be made online, and following his progress is a way to show the community that recovery is possible. Local businesses, particularly those invested in community wellbeing—from bathroom fitters offering workplace fitness initiatives to bathroom refurbishment companies supporting employee wellness programmes—can amplify this message. The broader community impact is significant: every person who recovers with SDAC's help strengthens families, workplaces, and neighbourhoods. Watch for updates throughout August as Kerr documents his million-step journey. For those affected by addiction or seeking support, contact SDAC directly; for those wanting to contribute, his fundraising page offers a direct way to help keep these life-saving services running.
Source: Surrey man to walk 1m steps for charity that helped him get sober
