Ambassadors

Maggie Alphonsi (Margaret Omotayo Sanni Alphonsi MBE) was born with clubfoot. 

Maggie is the face of international women’s rugby, having played rugby for England an impressive 74 times and even won the World Cup. Today she commentates for ITV,  Sky Sports and the BBC.

Maggie’s Story

My Mum was made aware I had Clubfoot when I was born. I had an operation was I was a baby, less than 6 months old and I wore a brace at night. I had regular visits to the hospital and then I was discharged when I was about 3. My treatment stopped at that point and I don’t remember anything about it.

In fact, I didn’t know I had Clubfoot until I started playing for England. I knew that I had one foot that turned in a bit, that I have a bit of a limp and have limited range of movement in my right foot.

It was an England clinician who noticed the scar on my foot and connected that with my gait problems and the fact my right calf is fatigued. Suddenly it made sense.

As a result, I made sure that I did extra work on strengthening my calf muscle, my foot, my glutes, my hamstring and on improving my flexibility in my ankle. I did more work on prehab to ensure the right hand of my body didn’t impede my ability to deliver.

I always had to be on top of it. I sought help and saw a physio regularly, making sure my soft tissue was treated once or twice a week, often focused on my calf.

During my career I had multiple hamstring tears which I believe were a result of the way my foot was coming in. I leant on the support of strength and conditioning physiotherapists.

I had to adjust and I had to keep going. I’ve not thought of it as a handicap. I didn’t let it be the difference between me and my teammates. I am aware of it but it didn’t stop me from performing.

My teammates didn’t know about it, that I had this condition. We as athletes just thought of it as ‘that person’s gait’. There wasn’t any judgement. As long as I was executing the task required, there was no conversation.

As a qualified Zoologist and Herpetologist (specialist in Reptiles and Amphibians) with a BSc Honours degree from Bangor University in North Wales, my objective in life is to be a wildlife presenter, as I want to encourage future generations to reconnect to our natural world. I want to create new ways of making films that show off our beautiful planet and what we can do to help preserve it.

Ryans Story

“It is my aim to make the outdoors accessible for people with hidden or physical disabilities, as the natural world is vital to our mental health and well-being. It’s also my aim to work with Steps Charity Worldwide to make a difference for adults living with clubfoot, especially those who were treated pre-Ponseti like myself, this will be achieved by changing the term “hidden” to “physical” in governmental law, which then will allow adults with clubfoot and other lower limb conditions to gain financial support to even getting blue badge status.

I count among my achievements the Jurassic Coast Walk: In May/ June of 2022, I embarked on the biggest challenge of my life to walk the full length of the Jurassic Coast all 95 miles to raise awareness of adults living with clubfoot. I completed the walk, and I managed 82 miles, it was highly successful with more adults coming forward to tell their stories and support the campaign.

With my filmmaking and Presenting I am happy to say that I have travelled the world researching and filming wildlife from the depths of the Savannah in Africa filming a full lion hunt, to standing on a catamaran in Tenerife filming whales and Dolphins in the wild to even coming face to face with wild venomous snakes in Corfu.

However, it’s not all as easy as it sounds, and I have faced many challenges and overcome fears. I was terrified of heights, so the only way to get over this fear was to do a tandem skydive out of a plane at 13,000 ft. This really does show no matter the fear or obstacle in the way with enough determination and passion you can achieve your dreams and ambitions.”

Dr Mark Williams DBA PLY is a former Paralympian, award-winning entrepreneur, and proud Steps Charity UK Ambassador. As an inspirational speaker, Mark empowers others to focus on what they can do, championing confidence and positivity for people affected by limb loss and limb difference.

At age 10, Mark lost his left leg in a road accident on the same day Prince William was born. Eight years later he became a double Paralympic medallist, a journey that ignited his lifelong belief in resilience, pride, and standing out.

In 2018, Mark and his wife Rachael founded LIMB-art, now recognised internationally for its innovative prosthetic leg covers. The company has since achieved major honours including the King’s Award for Innovation, UK Government’s ‘Made in the UK, Sold to the World’ Exporter of the Year, and multiple British Chamber of Commerce and Great British Entrepreneur Awards.

Through his ambassador work with Steps Charity UK, Mark supports children, families, and individuals facing limb challenges—sharing hope, visibility, and a powerful message that every difference deserves to be celebrated.  

#StandoutStandproud