James Cracknell helps launch new physical activity drive in Derbyshire
James Cracknell OBE, double Olympic gold medallist for rowing, has visited Derby to help launch a new campaign to engage Derbyshire’s 18 to 24 year olds in physical activity.
Derbyshire County Primary Care Trust and Derby City Primary Care Trust have been selected to jointly run the pilot project, and as part of this a new micro-site has been launched within the NHS Choices website with a host of information about what activities are available within the city and county.
The project is also closely linked to Derby City Council’s b-active campaign, which is now extending its focus to adults as well as children, and Derbyshire Sport’s Active Derbyshire campaign that aims to encourage county residents to become more active.
Olympic rower James (pictured) was at Derby’s Westfield shopping centre on May 8 to help kick-start the new NHS Choices project, and raise awareness of the physical activity drive that is going on within Derbyshire.
And after giving a speech about the benefits of physical activity he joined shoppers in the Westfield centre to learn more about the NHS Choices project and Derby’s b-active campaign.
During the day shoppers were able to log on to interactive website www.nhs.uk/active to obtain personal walking routes, ask questions of sports experts, watch videos, join a forum and sign up for an activity text messaging service.
To help adults of any age get 30 minutes of exercise a day, they were also able to sign up to a new Derby programme called ‘Kickstart’ which has been launched at www.bactivederby.com/kickstart.
Shoppers were able to sign up for an eight-week ‘30 a day’ challenge entitling them to free pedometers and other items as well as entry into a prize draw for a £1,000 Westfield shopping spree.
They were also able to try out exercise on a Nintendo Wii Fit and declare themselves activity ‘saints’ or ‘sinners’ in a special diary room.
Derbyshire County PCT’s campaign bus was also in Derby’s Market Place to encourage people to sign up to the ‘30 a day’ challenge.
And with the help of a special computer program volunteers were given an insight into how they are likely to look in the future if they don’t get more active.
During the next two months the bus will also be touring the county, stopping at popular venues and offering everyone the chance to meet the experts, sign up to the challenge and enter the draw.
James Cracknell said: “Getting young people involved in both doing and enjoying physical activity is essential if they are to get the most from their health. In sporting terms, too, if we can give them the opportunities and encouragement to take up exercise and sports, it will boost our push for success in future sporting events.”
Gerald Beales, Director of Health Promotion at Derbyshire County PCT, said: “The NHS Choices initiative is truly unique as it uses technology such as the Internet and mobile phones to engage 18 to 24 year olds in physical activity. Visitors to the website can download personalised activity programmes, get tips from experts and share experiences with peers on the online discussion forum. There really is something for everyone.”