2009-10-08 13:16:53 - Staff at a Birmingham hospital will combine X-Rays with exercise for the next month, as part of a walking campaign.

Five members of the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital’s X-Ray team have signed up to the TravelWise Walking Challenge, which is encouraging people across the region to take 10,000 steps per day, for four weeks.

The challenge aims to improve physical activity and has attracted around 1,000 individuals and businesses to take part.

Michelle Orr, of the X-Ray department, said one of the reasons staff wanted to take part was to see how much they were doing normally.

“Obviously we all walk a lot in this job, and some people park off-site too so there’s a lot of walking in our days,” Michelle said.

“So far, I am walking around 13,000 steps per day. That’s taking into account my working day and walking to pick up

my daughter from school.

“The team have not done much differently but it’s good to beat the target and we’ll continue what we’re doing and we’re finding it enjoyable.”

Rebecca Hawthorne, of Birmingham’s TravelWise team, said it was great to hear how well the hospital staff were doing – and people can still get involved in the challenge.

“It’s always been said that hospital staff walk far, and the X-Ray team seem to be proving it,” Rebecca said.

“The distance of 10,000 steps is roughly five miles for people with an average stride, so the health benefits are obviously significant.

“The idea behind the challenge is that people make a concerted effort to walk more for four weeks – and people can join in at any time.

“We have a form they can use to monitor how many steps they take each day so they can monitor improvement. All you need is a pedometer, and they only cost a few pound.

“Many people who take part tell us how shocked they are at how little they had been walking, but by the end of the challenge they are feeling more active and healthy.”

Around 1,000 people have signed up to the challenge across the region, including Coventry City manager Chris Coleman.

Ends

Picture caption: Front l/r, Michelle Orr, Jan Taylor.
Back l/r, Christine Howles, June King.

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