Southern Co-op’s Funeral branches in and around Portsmouth ran walking competition to encourage colleagues to stay active during lockdown. Nine staff members walked, ran and jumped 1,000 miles as part in the challenge, which encouraged them to get out of their comfort zone.
Pam Beeby completed 131 miles doing 47 different activities
The winner was Sally Cornwell who walked 123 miles in June compared to just four miles in March.
Southern donate £200 to Portsmouth in the Community – Ms Cornwell’s charity of choice and £50 donations will go to two other local charities for the runners up.
She said: “Not only do I feel better in myself, I also got to spend a lot of time with hubby and boys as they joined me on most walking occasions which was wonderful. I shall continue to do what I have done in June as its much better than going to the gym.”
Area operations manager Sue Mawson also got involved, running a total of 180 miles.
James Smith, who works in Rowner, went from walking 10 miles in May to 90 miles in June.
He said: “We have made friends with some dog walkers (and a particularly energetic little terrier), been attacked by spiky bushes, and learned the days that the local mental health facility does its own walks around and about.
“It has definitely helped keep me and [my partner] Dan sane during June to be getting out and about and we expect it to continue, at least while the weather is nice.”
Claire McGinty, regional operations manager at Southern Co-op, added: “All of the participants are winners in my eyes. We all agreed that everyone did amazingly, not only by participating in the challenge, but for doing something out of their comfort zone.
“It was so lovely to read what each colleague did as part of the challenge and to read that friends were made with local dog walkers, families spent more time together and that the local wild life was explored! We are still in uncertain times so to see that this challenge has helped colleagues feel better is just incredible.
