Last month, 118 staff formed 27 teams to compete in our workplace initiative - the Step Count Challenge - and, in just one month 15,684 miles were covered.
The winning team were Catch Me If You Can, made up of staff from the Recovery Department at the Borders General Hospital, who managed 2,199,338 steps during the challenge which aimed to raise awareness of Macmillan Move More Borders, a physical activity programme for those affected by cancer. Charlotte Jones, Move More development officer with Live Borders said:
We decided to run a Step Count Challenge for NHS Borders staff to encourage a more active workplace and to raise awareness of Move More Borders.
We had a very positive response to the challenge with more people than expected signing up which was great.
The teams provided encouragement and support to each other throughout the month and the online platform allowed the teams to check their progress against their competition.
Managed by Macmillan Cancer Supper and Live Borders, Move More Borders offers gentle movement classes, circuit-based activities, gardening and cancer-friendly walks supported by Paths for All.
The challenge not only encouraged participants to become more physically active in their workplace, but also allowed Move More Borders to provide evidence, research and resources about the benefits of being physically active for people affected by cancer with a view to increasing referrals into the programme.
It also crowned Elsie Anderson as a Step Count Champion due to her inspiring performance throughout the challenge.
Elsie said: “Taking part in the Step Count Challenge made me aware of how much I was exercising and how much more I was capable of doing. It was great being part of a team and encouraging everyone to increase their activity.
“I was absolutely delighted to win and felt really proud. I felt I was enthusiastic and really enjoyed taking part in the challenge and would take part again.”
To be referred to Move More Borders, visit http://www.liveborders.org.uk/movemoreborders, call 01896 661166 or email movemore@liveborders.org.uk.