08 May Essex, it’s time to get active with the 30:30 Essex challenge!
Essex residents are invited to kick start a healthier lifestyle by taking part in 30 minutes of physical activity every day in June. The campaign is run by the Active Essex Foundation – a charity that provides life-changing support to Essex communities through sport and physical activity.
The challenge is simply to do 30 minutes of physical activity every day for 30 days in June, which could be anything from taking a brisk walk in the local park to getting involved with a local dance or fitness class, cycling to school or joining in your local Parkrun!
Regular daily exercise is proven to lead to great personal benefits, such as increased energy & stamina, positive mental well-being and improved sociability from joining activity sessions and meeting new people.
Jason Fergus, Trustee of the Active Essex Foundation, said; “We are extremely excited to bring the 30:30 Essex challenge back for its second year. It’s about helping Essex residents understand the benefits of being active and what fantastic opportunities are out there from local clubs and communities.
“There are no targets to beat, no mountains to climb, just 30 minutes, for 30 days, your way!”
Chelmsford’s Spencer Pratten, Captain of England’s Walking Football squad, is one of 30 champions of this year’s campaign who will inspire 30:30 Essex participants with his story and share ideas as a Guest Editor on social media for getting active this June.
He said, “I have always been a lover of sport and football in particular, but at the age of 64, I understand that there are some barriers for participating in regular exercise. Walking football has simply changed my life and has shown me that there are opportunities to keep active out there for everyone, no matter what barriers you may face!
“I’m very excited to be supporting and taking part in this year’s 30:30 Essex campaign. It really is as simple as taking a brisk walk every-day and perhaps building up to something more like trying out a Walking football session!”
Other champions include Chelmsford Karate Club’s Richard Naylor Jones and Shimmy ‘n’ Groove’s Lindsey Abbot who will both be hosting taster sessions for 30:30 Essex participants throughout the month of June.
Essex’s sports clubs and organisations can also take on the challenge and list their June activities on the 30:30 Essex open activity map for a chance of winning a prize of up to £750 for their club.
Families who want to set a bigger challenge can also sign up to the first 30:30 Essex Obstacle Race in Thorndon Country Park, near Brentwood on 29th June. Most importantly, all funds raised from the race will go to the Active Essex Foundation charity and will help support sport and physical activity projects in Essex.
To sign up for this year’s 30:30 Essex challenge and receive your free activity planner, or to add club or group activities on the 30:30 Essex map, visit www.3030essex.com.
