Donegal County Council staff recently celebrate the completion of a four-week “Move to Improve 100km Staff Walking Challenge”.
The challenge saw twenty-three teams collectively walking approximately 4,500km with staff feedback saying that the fun competitive event created an ideal environment to encourage staff to get out and get moving!
The overall winners of the Challenge were the “Red Hot Chilli Steppers” who recorded the most kilometres (509km) walked over the four-week period.
Pictured L-R: Donegal County Council Chief Executive, John G. McLaughlin, Norman Miller, Catriona McElhinney, Kevin McMenamin and Doreen Floyd
Best Team Photo was won by “Worst Pace Scenario”
Pictured L-R: Worst Pace Scenario – Siobhan McCafferty, Shaun Campbell, Elaine Harley and Shaun Doherty
Best Team Name winner was “Rapid Thigh Movement”
Pictured L-R: Donegal County Council Chief Executive, John G McLaughlin, Elaine Whoriskey and Martina Tuffy (missing are Steven Perry and Eoin Leonard)
Bonus Prize Category winner was ”Legs of Duty”
Pictured L-R: Donegal County Council Chief Executive, John G McLaughlin, Eamonn Porter, Marie McDaid and Michelle McGrory (missing is Anne McDaid)
In keeping with Healthy Ireland’s Let’s Get Set campaign, Donegal County Council’s Chief Executive, John G. McLaughlin launched the Move to Improve 100km Staff Walking Challenge in March this year. The Campaign was rolled out over a four-week period, in conjunction with Healthy Donegal and the Staff Health and Wellbeing Office to encourage staff to get more physically active and promote healthy habits.
Entrants, staff and Senior Management attending the presentation event on Wednesday 5th May, 2022 with prizes awarded by Chief Executive , John G. McLaughlin
Mr. McLaughlin said “Donegal County Council is invested in the health and wellbeing of our staff and, as outlined in our Health and Wellbeing Plan, is committed to expanding the range of services and health and wellbeing supports available to staff. One of our key objectives is – “To provide opportunities and pathways for staff to be proactive in managing their physical health and maintaining a healthy lifestyle through coordinated programmes”
Research tells us that the most common reasons employees sign up to a health challenge are:
- fun
- fitness
- to lose weight
- most importantly – because it’s organised by the workplace
While the physical and mental health benefits of exercise are widely documented, the social aspect can often be overlooked – team events can help develop social skills, encourage team-building and improve self-esteem.
The winners were announced at a presentation held on Wednesday 5th May with prizes awarded by Donegal County Council Chief Executive, John G McLaughlin, and attended by entrants, staff and Senior Management.
