Disability charity Scope has announced a large-scale launch of its “Steptember” fundraising challenge, to raise money for its beneficiaries and their families.

“Steptember” aims to encourage people to take at least 10,000 steps a day for the month of September - up from 2,500 steps a day for the average office worker.

The charity ran the event last year on a small scale, but hopes this year to treble the number of participants.

The global challenge event originated in Australia and last year ran in Australia, America, Canada, the Netherlands and Turkey, as well as England and Wales. More than 300 companies took part worldwide - including BP, Lloyd’s and Ernst & Young – raising more than £2.2m globally for disability charities.

Last year Scope attracted 970 sign-ups for the challenge and raised £40,000. It is hoping to increase that to 3,000 sign-ups and £120,000 in 2015.

Alan Gosschalk, director of fundraising at Scope, said: “Steptember is a fun way to become more active and raise much-needed funds for disabled people and their families.

“This year, we want to show that Steptember isn’t just about steps. It’s an inclusive challenge with more than 60 activities that can be converted into ‘steps’ on our interactive website. So participants can swim, cycle, wheel or even dance their way to victory!”

As part of efforts to increase participants, the charity has launched a separate Steptember website to enable people to sign up to “an interactive journey as they get fit and fundraise”.