Workplaces across the Island are being invited to take part in a new challenge aimed at increasing the amount of walking people do.
Due to be officially launched in May’s Isle of Wight Walking Festival, the Isle of Wight Workplace Challenge sees teams of five try and improve the average number of steps they walk every week for eight weeks. Prizes, including walking boots and silver leisure One Cards, are on offer.
A trial challenge was held by the Isle of Wight Council for internal departments in October. Thirteen teams took part, and the winning team, from the council’s ICT department, achieved a 30% increase in weekly steps during the challenge. Across all the teams, nearly 55 million steps were taken, over 23,000 miles walked and nearly two million calories were burnt.
Pairs of walking boots, supplied by walking festival sponsor Hi-Tec, were awarded to the winning team of Ali Hinde, Angela Collis, Dean Finlayson, Jacqui Arnold, Jenna Langford, Natalie Foster, Steve Wherry and Sue Surry.
Councillor Phil Jordan, Executive member responsible for public health, said:
“The workplace challenge is a great and friendly way to increase the amount of walking people do in a week.
“The council trialled the event and it was very well received, with teams really making the effort to increase their average distances. I am sure it will be very well received and for a big part of the upcoming Isle of Wight Walking Festival.”
To register, teams of five should email [email protected] and instructions shall be sent on how the challenge works and how to use a dedicated Workplace Challenge website.
Photographed L-R: Back row; Angela Collis, Natalie Foster, Simon Squibb. Front Row: Alison Hinde, Jacqui Arnold, Steve Wherry, Jenna Langford with Cllr Phil Jordan presenting the boots
