Portsmouth dad walks 500 miles to raise awareness for social media campaign to support alienated parents

Hilsea dad-of-nine Steve Hunter racked up hundreds of miles throughout January and February as part of a social media campaign to raise awareness of Dads Against Double Standards.

Dads is a Facebook group providing support, advice and resources for parents who are unable to see their children due to custody court cases.

The group campaigns to help parents experiencing alienation.

Parents and grandparents of all genders are among the nearly 30,000 members and they span several continents, with an aim to help prevent other distressed parents from taking their own lives.

Steve, 42, started his walking challenge at the beginning of January and has been amazed at the support he has received along the way.

Tattoo artist Steve, who owns Blood Eagle Tattoos in Hilsea, said: ‘My dad was unable to see his kids and my stepdad was unable to see his.

‘So many parents are affected by being unable to see their kids and some sadly take their own lives, which is awful, so if we can raise awareness about it and make people feel less alone and like they have people who will support them then we’ve done our job.

‘So many people have been donating miles and it’s amazing to see so many people chipping in and supporting the cause.’

The determined dad smashed his 200-mile goal quicker than anticipated, so kept the momentum going to reach 500 miles.

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After hitting this second goal, other members of the Dads Facebook page got behind the campaign and began recording their walks and donating miles to the challenge.

Whether it was just one mile, or 200 in one go, people from across the UK got on board to support Steve’s goal.

Members are urging people to take part in the Walk For The Forgotten Children on April 25 and donate as many miles as they can to the group to raise awareness of their cause.

This event is to support the Dads campaign to change the law to grant the right for children to ‘have a relationship with both parents following divorce or separation’ and prevent parental alienation.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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