A growing initiative from Guernsey’s Health Improvement Commission has inspired a change in challenge for Les Bourgs Hospice’s annual 30walksin30days event.
Islanders are encouraged to sign up to walk a daily mile, every day between 1st-30th April 2022. It is hoped that they will not only feel healthier and build a new exercise habit for after the event but also get the feel good factor from raising money for charity.
The Les Bourgs Hospice website has been updated to include a resource of information such as links to walking routes which have been collated by different organisations including Visit Guernsey and The National Trust of Guernsey.
The Health Improvement Commission has mapped out shorter ‘Walk this way’ routes around St Peter Port, St Sampsons and the Reservoir, showing numbers of steps and time, plus their new Daily Mile routes in parks and green areas which will be launched for the beginning of April. The website also lists information about the various walking groups on the island and details of apps that can be used while out and about eg Ruettes Tranquilles or a weblink to walking route mapped out by the Digimap team.
Liz Stonebridge, Fundraising Administrator at Les Bourgs Hospice says: “The timing and ethos of this new initiative fitted really well with a review of our 30walksin30days event. We are hoping that businesses will embrace the challenge to align with their health and wellbeing strategies for their employees and individuals will sign up with friends or family. It has been such a positive experience to work with the Be Active Team and collaborate on promoting a concept which we can all incorporate into busy lives to reap the health benefits from. We are very grateful to Appleby for sponsoring this event”.
The Daily Mile could incentivise a change in commuting habits by leaving the car at home, be used to pick up the paper or light shopping. It could also be an opportunity to get away from the desk and into the fresh air at lunchtime or extended to explore different parts of the island. The timing of the event coincides with lighter evenings and the arrival of Spring which both make for more enjoyable walks.
Alex Costen, Active Travel Officer at the Health improvement Commission says: “Our mission in the Be Active team is to get more people, more active, more often and we’re pleased to help promote this exciting Les Bourgs 30walksin30days challenge. Short and frequent walks that people can add into their routines can really improve overall health and wellbeing.
“We’re facilitating this with our existing walking signs and some new mile routes, which we are looking forward to launch in April, in time for the challenge. The idea for these came from a member of the public, as they wanted to know what distances they were covering on their walks. We think this will be motivational for walkers, to know how far they have travelled. Good luck to all who take part in the 30walksin30days challenge.”
More information about the event including how to register (£15 for adults, £5 for U18s) can be found here. For any queries please email [email protected] or ring a member of the Administration Team on 01481 251111
