26 January 2004 00:00 EME staff put their best foot forward to help a Children’s charity and stay healthy

When an East Midlands Electricity manager wanted to encourage his staff get fit and stay healthy, he decided to set an example and lead the way - literally.

As part of a health and safety initiative, Asset Development Manager Dave Barthorpe laid down the ‘lunchtime walk’ challenge to his team and decided that while they were helping themselves to stay healthy they could also raise cash for the NSPCC at the same time.

Dave said: “The daily lunchtime walk was a great way of getting the team away from their desks and into the fresh air. It enabled us to get some easy but regular exercise and to have a short break from the office as well.

“The walk was from our head office in Castle Donington to East Midlands Airport and back, a round trip of one-and-a-half miles and, for every lap the team completed, I agreed to donate money to the NSPCC.

Over the last six months, from April to September, the team of 25 walked a total of 375 circuits - over 600 miles.

Dave says: “The walks have been great fun and my joke repertoire has improved considerably.

“I’m really pleased we’ve been able to improve our health, raise money for the NSPCC and have some light-hearted fun too. We’re already starting to think about what challenge we can lay down for this summer.”

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For more information contact:
Rebecca Middleton on 024 7642 5779