Mary

Walk for Autism 2026

My Activity Tracking

My tracker shows my steps for the 8 days of the challenge from 26th March to 2nd April. My goal progression shows all my steps including any I have done outside of the challenge days.

My Target: 80000 Steps

Day 1


Day 2


Day 3


Day 4


Day 5


Day 6


Day 7


Day 8


Total


logo with steps

Goal Progression

Steps walked so far:

80,602

steps

My Target:

80,000

steps

100% Complete

I'm walking 10,000 steps a day for Autism Initiatives

I will be walking 10,000 steps a day from 26th March to 2nd April to raise money for Autism Initiatives Group  Please sponsor me.


Any donation, big or small, is hugely appreciated 😊🧚💡💜


Here is my why ⏬⏬


From a young age, I knew I was different. I thought differently, struggled to fit in, and didn’t understand my emotions. Over time, in my effort to ‘fit in’, I pushed those emotions away and masked who I really was.


I became a chameleon, adapting to every situation just to belong. But this led to poor decisions, unhealthy coping strategies, and a decline in my mental health.


As I got older, the masking became too much. I couldn’t keep it up anymore, and I reached a point where I didn’t want to be here.


Everything started to change when my sister spoke to me about ADHD. I was diagnosed at 40 and began medication. It wasn’t easy, but things slowly became clearer. For the first time, there were small glimpses of light. 💡


Then something else surfaced — sensory issues that had always been there, but hidden beneath the noise of ADHD.


The world can feel overwhelming. Too loud, too bright, too much. I often need isolation to recover, and I struggle to communicate what I need.


In January 2026, I was diagnosed as Autistic.


I’m not ashamed of being Autistic, but I’m still learning how to accept myself and let go of the mask. I still mask more than I’d like, and that can take a toll on my mental health.


I’m learning to speak up now.  

When I tell you what I need to feel okay, it’s not something new. I’ve spent 42 years ignoring my own needs to please others and make life easier for them. Now, I’m learning to speak up — not to be difficult, but to be understood.


To say when something is too loud, too bright, or too overwhelming. Because staying silent for 42 years nearly broke me — and I would rather be heard than disappear into silence.


This challenge isn’t just about walking.


It’s about accepting who I am, helping others understand autism, and raising awareness for people like me. 🧚💜💡


My mental health has been low recently, and I’ve struggled to get moving. I’m hoping this challenge helps lift my mood, gives me a fresh start, and raises money to help autistic people thrive.


Walk for Autism is a fundraising challenge run by Autism Initiatives Group, supporting a world where every autistic person has the opportunity, understanding, and support they need.


If you can, please donate or share — it really means more than you know 💜💚💛

My achievements

Added profile picture

Shared page

First donation received

Raised £20 t-shirt is on its way

50% fundraising target

100% fundraising target

Challenge completed

My updates

Day 4 done ✅

Sunday 29th Mar
Day 4 done ✅

Today I split my walk into two parts.

Earlier in the week I text my niece and nephews to see if they’d do some steps with me. We made a deal—1,000 steps around the garden and I’d play Monopoly with them… deal done 🤝

I’m not sure Juliet on the swing counted as steps, but she was outside and moving her feet, so I’ll give her that 😂 After a very tense game of Monopoly (I was nearly bankrupt), I finished my steps with my sister.

Me, Jane, and her three children are all autistic. Juliet was the first to be diagnosed, and that changed everything for us.

Before that, I knew nothing about autism—but at the same time, I knew everything… because it explained me.

I realised I didn’t need fixing. I wasn’t “failing” at life or not fitting in for no reason—I just see and experience the world differently.

Having that understanding means I can stop trying to force a square peg into a round hole. It’s never going to fit, no matter how many coping mechanisms or masks I create.

The reality is, there’s still a lot of pressure on autistic people to adapt to the world around them. When we don’t “fit,” it can feel like we’re an inconvenience. Sometimes people prefer us to mask, because it makes things easier for them.

I’m really lucky to have good people around me—people who try to understand, even if they don’t always fully get it. That effort means everything.

But more awareness is needed, so more people are open to understanding.

If you can support that, please consider donating 💚

Until tomorrow,
Much love, 
Mary xx

#walkforautism #actuallyautistic #squarepegroundhole #autismawarness

Day Two done ✅

Saturday 28th Mar
Day Two done ✅

I’m feeling good from the exercise. I know I need to rebuild my mental strength, and deep down I’ve always known that movement is key, but when you’re burnt out and feeling low, finding the motivation is so hard.

That’s one of the reasons I’m doing this challenge. People have sponsored me, and I won’t let them down.

Truth and transparency mean everything to me. I hate lies and excuses—I can see straight through them. I’d always rather hear the truth, even if it’s hard. That’s why I’m choosing to be open and honest in these blogs.

I still struggle passing people, but today I managed to make eye contact with a lady and say hello… without feeling like I wanted to die inside.

I was very aware of sensory issues today, so I wore my sunglasses as I feel more invisible when people can't look me in the eyes.

Until tomorrow,
Much love,Mary xx 💜🧚💡

#walkforautism #audhdgirlpower #autistic #truth

Day one done ✅

Thursday 26th Mar
I used every possible delay tactic this morning and ended up stepping out an hour later than planned to face myself.  

I haven’t fully accepted my Autism diagnosis yet, which is why I chose this challenge. It’s giving me time and space to process while I walk.  

I wore the challenge T-shirt and felt really uncomfortable. I like green, but seeing others ahead of me made me want to shrink away—I didn’t want to draw attention to myself.  

Even making eye contact feels intense, like people can see into my soul, so I tend to avoid it. Being autistic can make social situations feel awkward, and today that felt very real—even just going for a simple walk.  

But I did it.  

Until tomorrow,  

Much love, Mary xx 💜🧚🏼‍♂️💡

#walkforautism #audhdgirlpower #autismacceptance #autisticwomen

I spent 42 years masking who I am. Now I’m walking for acceptance, understanding, and change 💜 10,000 steps a day. Every step has meaning. Please support if you can 🙏

Tuesday 17th Mar

I will be walking 10,000 steps a day from 26th March to 2nd April to raise money for Autism Initiatives Group Please sponsor me.


Any donation, big or small, is hugely appreciated 😊🧚💡💜


Here is my why ⏬⏬


From a young age, I knew I was different. I thought differently, struggled to fit in, and didn’t understand my emotions. Over time, in my effort to ‘fit in’, I pushed those emotions away and masked who I really was.


I became a chameleon, adapting to every situation just to belong. But this led to poor decisions, unhealthy coping strategies, and a decline in my mental health.


As I got older, the masking became too much. I couldn’t keep it up anymore, and I reached a point where I didn’t want to be here.


Everything started to change when my sister spoke to me about ADHD. I was diagnosed at 40 and began medication. It wasn’t easy, but things slowly became clearer. For the first time, there were small glimpses of light. 💡


Then something else surfaced — sensory issues that had always been there, but hidden beneath the noise of ADHD.


The world can feel overwhelming. Too loud, too bright, too much. I often need isolation to recover, and I struggle to communicate what I need.


In January 2026, I was diagnosed as Autistic.


I’m not ashamed of being Autistic, but I’m still learning how to accept myself and let go of the mask. I still mask more than I’d like, and that can take a toll on my mental health.


I’m learning to speak up now.  

When I tell you what I need to feel okay, it’s not something new. I’ve spent 42 years ignoring my own needs to please others and make life easier for them. Now, I’m learning to speak up — not to be difficult, but to be understood.


To say when something is too loud, too bright, or too overwhelming. Because staying silent for 42 years nearly broke me — and I would rather be heard than disappear into silence.


This challenge isn’t just about walking.


It’s about accepting who I am, helping others understand autism, and raising awareness for people like me. 🧚💜💡


My mental health has been low recently, and I’ve struggled to get moving. I’m hoping this challenge helps lift my mood, gives me a fresh start, and raises money to help autistic people thrive.


Walk for Autism is a fundraising challenge run by Autism Initiatives Group, supporting a world where every autistic person has the opportunity, understanding, and support they need.


If you can, please donate or share — it really means more than you know 💜💚💛

Thank you to my donors

£32.23

Claire & Erin

£21.84

Amy Kennefy

You got this darling, super proud 🧚

£20

Stacey Zooink

We are so proud of you well done you smashed it.

£16.56

John Darcey

You owe me £15

£16.56

Benjamin Sibley

Keep walking 🚶‍♀️ 👌

£11.33

Mary Darcey

£11.33

Tanya Hall

Hey this is from me and wifey good luck we proud of you love you ❤️

£11.33

Lynda Holder

Go Mary . You can do this.

£11.33

Cara Shoebridge

This is brilliant! Good luck x

£11.33

Sam Walker

Well done for doing this! So brave ❤️❤️

£11.33

Leanne Startup

Well done Mary, keep going! Not many days left x

£10

Jane

Lots of love

£10

Alysha

Good Luck Mary you can do this xxx

£10

Bonnie Webb

Good on you

£6.11

Zoe Edwards

Girl Power babe!! Xxx

£5

Beth J

Proud of you!