Pam strides to walking challenge success

Pam Collier and Hannah Foxcroft, Healthier Workforce Manager

A MEMBER of staff at Blackpool Victoria Hospital stepped up to the plate during a walking challenge covering an amazing 400 miles in May.

During May staff from Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust were encouraged to monitor the number of steps they walked each day, entering their daily numbers onto the Trust’s “Steps Challenge” portal.  In total 74 staff members entered their daily number of steps which amounted up to a staggering 18.6 million steps, approximately 9,300 miles.

Pam Collier, who works in Clinical Coding, lead the way by walking 892,537 steps in the month, a figure that equates to 422 miles.

The challenge was organised by Hannah Foxcroft, Healthier Workforce Manager at the Trust.

She said: “There are a number of health benefits associated to walking and moving more throughout a day.  Exercise guidelines suggest that we should all aim walk 10,000 steps per day as this will help achieve good heart health and psychological wellbeing.

“It was fantastic to see so many staff members get involved and walk such an incredible distance.’’

Pam, who won an activity band donated by Living Streets, the Charity whose mission is to achieve a better walking environment and inspire people to walk more.

She said: “I have always been an active person and walk the eight miles round trip to work every day and love walking my dog when I am home.

“It is not unusual for me to walk more than 50 miles over a weekend and I love it.’’

The Walking Challenge was part of the Trust’s commitment to encouraging staff to take care of their own health and wellbeing.

The Trust holds regular health check events for staff as well as a running club, yoga and Pilates sessions and relaxation groups.

 

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