Congratulations to all the staff who took part in this year’s walking challenge!
All teams combined walked an incredible distance over the six-week period, in fact, teams racked up an astounding 480 million steps – the equivalent of walking over 8 times around the world!
An amazing total of 131 teams crossed the Rome finish line having walked, cycled or ran at least 1,160.3 km during the challenge, with the overall winning team ‘Ortho is the Hip’est’ taking the top spot on the leader board. The five team members managed a spectacular 4,476km, and consisted of:
- Andrew Cruikshank (Specialist Physiotherapist Home First Team)
- Mark Chillingworth (Orthopaedic Team Lead)
- Jane McKenzie (Orthopaedic Team Lead)
- Alison Bruce (Specialist Orthopaedic Physiotherapist)
- Paul McMullan (Physiotherapy APR)
Part of Ortho is the ‘Hip’est, Andrew Cruikshank, rotational physiotherapist, University Hospital Wishaw, said: “Our team really enjoyed the challenge, and we are all thrilled to have come first place.
“We are all fairly active at the best of times as we have; a keen dog walker, a runner, a member who is at the gym regularly and 2 keen cyclists. The challenge has pushed us to become even more active, as we all now go for walks on our breaks.
“We are all competitive too and found ourselves competing with each other within the team and not just with the other teams in the challenge, we’re looking forward to next year’s already so we can aim to keep our winning title.”
And a huge well done to Mari Martin, who works in A&E in Wishaw and was part of the No Clucks Given team, as she did the most steps out of all 1268 people who took part! Mari said: “I am a very active person and do a lot of triathlon training, I completed my 1st Ironman triathlon in 2019.
“I absolutely love road cycling, this would be where I collected a lot of my steps from, if I’m not cycling outdoors I have an indoor trainer. If I’m on a long shift it’s not unusual for me to do a session before going to work or when I come home after a shift.
“So if I’m not cycling, I’m running or walking. Luckily I can do all this with my hubby too. Not to forget I do a lot if walking within my role.”
Although it’s not all about coming top, Evelyn Brand, health improvement senior – Health Improvement is part of the team Clydesdale & Hamilton Locality Health Improvement Team and shared what walking has meant to her: “I had a hip replacement last April and walking was a huge part of my recovery journey.
“The first time I walked outdoors after my operation, I only made it to the first lamp post, and I kept increasing this and building up gradually from there. Like everyone, I have had my ups and downs, but it has all been well worth it.
“The NHS Walking Challenge has actually helped me realise how frequently I walk, I enjoy being outdoors – rain, snow or sunshine!
“I normally walk 3/4 times a week. There are many beautiful walks in Lanarkshire and recently have started exploring and walking in the rest of Scotland which has proved to be incredibly enjoyable.
“Walking was part of my recovery routine, but I really can’t imagine not spending most of my free time doing it now – I love it!”
Simon Martin, health improvement senior – Healthy Working Lives, NHS Lanarkshire said: “Well done to everyone taking part and walking their way through Italy, it’s been a great effort from all involved!”
