Heads Up Cheltenham and Move More Miles challenge launched

This summer, Heads Up Cheltenham and Move More have come together to launch the ‘Heads Up Move More Miles’ challenge for the whole community of Cheltenham - to encourage more physical activity, which in turn can help mental health and wellbeing.

From Monday July 26, families and communities will be able to support their local primary school in working towards the challenge to Move More Miles until the beginning of September. It is well known that physical activity can improve mental health and wellbeing, so Heads Up Cheltenham and Move More are encouraging us to get active this summer.

By walking, running or cycling, you can count the miles generated over the six weeks of school summer holidays and send them to your local school or Heads Up Cheltenham via email: [email protected] The winning school and family will then be announced in the autumn by Cheltenham Mayor Cllr Steve Harvey.

Cllr Victoria Atherstone, cabinet member for culture, wellbeing and business, said: “This is a very exciting challenge to be involved in. Research shows the significant importance of physical activity and, as mental health champion for the council, I cannot emphasise enough the benefits of getting out in nature and being active for our mental health and wellbeing. For example, whether that is your usual walk, jog or run or spending time with your family to go out together for mindful walks, it’s all a good way to soak up and enjoy the natural world around us.

“I’m really excited to be donating all my steps to local schools in my ward and I hope the whole of Cheltenham will join in and get active this summer, donating their miles to their local schools too.’’

Andy Herbert from Move More, continued: ‘’The Move More Mile challenge was initially launched to encourage friendly competition and challenge school communities to get active during the national lockdowns. We are now delighted to be partnering with Heads Up Cheltenham and use the challenge to positively impact the mental health and wellbeing of children, young people and adults across Cheltenham.’’

The challenge cards will be distributed through local primary schools, or downloadable and printable via www.cheltenham.gov.uk/heads-up and members of the community can donate their own active miles to their local primary school.

Let’s enjoy a summer of our physical health helping our mental health, and move more miles!

Find out more about Heads Up Cheltenham and their work on their Facebook page.