Today marks the start of the Big Devon March
Workplaces across Devon are being challenged to walk the equivalent of the circumference of the earth - a grand total of 24,901 miles for a month long walking campaign called the Big Devon March.
The Big Devon March is being run by Active Devon on behalf of Devon County Council and it is inspiring workplaces to get creative, make some simple changes and get employees moving more.
“We’ve been so pleased with the volume of sign ups that we’ve already had for the Big Devon March” said Scott Kendall who is managing the campaign for Active Devon.
“Hundreds of people have been getting involved with lots of workplace champions coming forward to lead walks during the working day. Collectively we’d like to show how small adjustments to the day can have great individual health benefits and what’s good for you is also good for the business, because you’ll feel more motivated and refreshed when you return to your desk”.
Walking meetings and lunchtime strolls are simple and effective ways to increase your step count during the working day. Just ten minutes here and there makes a real difference to people's health and it seems as if the message has captured the imaginations of workplaces right across Devon.
Dr Phil Norrey, Chief Executive of Devon County Council, said: “We’re really pleased to be an Active workplace, and will be encouraging staff to take part in the Big Devon March.
“We have introduced incentives to encourage people to take active travel to and from work, including bike parking facilities, showers, pool bikes and co-cars for off site meetings.
“We know that taking more exercise is good for our physical health, and we can all find ways to be a bit more active in our working day, whether that’s by walking to work, having working meetings, or simply walking to see a colleague rather than sending an e-mail, so the Big Devon March is a great way for us to challenge ourselves and others to take a few extra steps a day.”
The race is on. From 1st March workplaces will be striding out and trying to get their business to the top of the Devon leaderboard. There are incentives and prizes on offer throughout March with fun ways to show off what businesses are doing on their daily walks. Active Devon have produced a short video about the campaign - just search ‘Are You Sitting Comfortably?’ on the Active Devon Youtube channel.
If you need any support with signing up to the Big Devon March call 01392 925150 or email scott.kendall@activedevon.org #MarchWithUs
