Move More Virtual Round the World Challenge

Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council are challenging Macmillan Move More participants to virtually climb their way around global landmarks and stay active during the Covid-19 crisis.

Walking the to the top of the Eiffel Tower, Statue of Liberty or Big Ben might seem like a mammoth task, but Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council Move More Coordinator, Kelly Irwin is encouraging her Move More participants to take part in a virtual challenge and slowly but surely reach these impressive heights from home in the coming weeks.

Kelly is one of 11 Move More Coordinators, funded by Macmillan.  Based in every council area of Northern Ireland, Move More Coordinators support people living with cancer. The Move More programme helps people to get active and stay active - physical activity is safe during and after most types of cancer treatment and can help to reduce the side effects of this treatment, prevent the occurrence of other long-term conditions and reduce the risk of cancer spreading or returning.

Since lockdown has been in place, Move More Coordinators have been working from home and while face-to-face classes and appointments are not possible, Kelly and her colleagues have been working on positive, fun and interesting ways to keep Move More participants motivated and active at home.

“Like all Move More Coordinators, I’m usually based in our local leisure facilities or out and about meeting participants. We were due to have our first regional event of 2020 this month where our coordinators and participants would travel to one part of NI to take part in a fun activity and have some social time together. That’s what inspired my colleagues Claire and Catherine to come up with our ‘round the world’ challenge idea. Even though we can’t bring everyone together in person, we wanted to find a way to motivate and connect our groups virtually and give them all a positive goal to focus on.”

“It's simple for Move More participants to get involved in our round the world challenge. We’ve identified how many steps it would take to climb certain landmarks, and we’re encouraging people to virtually climb as many landmarks as they can by building up their steps every day using a front door step, bottom stair or kerb, and keeping track of their daily tally. We have developed a pack to support those getting involved and of course, we’re encouraging participants to take part at an appropriate level for their fitness. They’ll be sharing their updates with us and letting us know how they’re getting on as the days and weeks progress. We may not be able to physically travel the world at the moment, but there’s no limit on our imagination!”

Helen, a participant in Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council’s Move More programme says that the challenge is literally keeping her on her toes! 

Helen said, “I certainly miss catching up in person, as much for the social benefits as well as the important exercise, but while we’re all following government advice and staying at home, Kelly and her colleagues are keeping us busy. This challenge is a lot of fun – it’s great to have a target to concentrate on and there will no doubt be a bit of good-hearted competition across the groups! Many of us stay in touch through WhatsApp groups so we’re only ever a message away from some encouragement and inspiration.”

Chairman of the Council’s Leisure and Community Development Committee, Alderman James Tinsley added his support, “The Move More challenge is an exciting way for participants to keep up daily exercise.  In these challenging times, while we are asked to continue to remain home, it is important to keep the body and mind as active as we can.  Use your imagination and step your way around the world from the comfort of your own home or using the daily hour allowance of outdoor exercise.”

To find out more about the challenge or how you can be referred to the Move More programme contact Kelly Irwin, Move More Coordinator for Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council on 07392280829 or kelly.irwin@lisburncastlereagh.gov.uk. You can also visit the Move More NI Facebook page.

Comprehensive information and support, including Macmillan’s latest guidance and advice on the impact of coronavirus on cancer care, is available on www.macmillan.org.uk

Painting by Move More participant of the Leaning Tower of Pisa, one of the virtual challenge landmarks.