Inter-firm rivalry encouraged in 30 Walks fundraiser
Inter-firm rivalries could be boosted with Les Bourgs Hospice’s latest fundraising campaign to see how far across the world they could walk.
The 30 Walks in 30 Days challenge has opened for individuals and groups to walk 10,000 steps, or one mile, every day for the entirety of April.
A group of four walking 10,000 steps a day during April could cover enough mileage to walk to Spain.
Les Bourgs Hospice fundraising administrator Liz Stonebridge said that it was a fantastic opportunity for corporate teams to link health and wellbeing strategies with supporting a local charity.
‘There are so many physical and mental health benefits to walking but with busy, modern lifestyles we often don’t walk enough,’ she said.
‘We are hoping that businesses will encourage employees to sign up. We are very grateful to Appleby for their continued support of this event which means that 100% of money raised goes directly to supporting free, specialist care for patients and their loved ones,’ she said.
The challenge supports the Health Improvement Commission’s Walk This Way campaign, which is a series of 16 routes around the island marked by pink circular signs which display the average number of steps and duration that the route would take.
Suggested routes can also be found on VisitGuernsey’s website or app, and the National Trust of Guernsey’s walking routes as well as the ruettes tranquille network.
‘This fundraising challenge aims to add en element of fun and competitiveness with the new team option,’ said Ms Stonebridge.
Sponsors Appleby entered a team of four last year which walked the equivalent of Guernsey to Barcelona.
‘Appleby are delighted once again to be sponsors of the 30 Walks in 30 Days challenge. Last year we covered about 969 kilometres as the crow flies,’ said partner Richard Field.
‘This year we have entered two teams and both are setting their sights on walking to another European city and helping to raise funds for this tremendous charity,’ he said.
Walk This Way initiative
The Health Improvement Commission’s Walk This Way has an interactive map, which can be found here.
It was launched in 2020 to encourage islanders to fit short walks into their daily lives, with routes starting at Salerie Corner, Rouge Rue, Footes Lane and Le Val de Terres.
It said that under half of adults in Guernsey achieve the recommended 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week.
Active people have a 30% reduced risk of depression and walking can improve cognitive function, memory and attention.
