Elizabeth smashes steps challenge and inspires workmates
A cleaner who walked over one million steps in just seven weeks has motivated her colleagues to get moving.
Elizabeth Nisbett, a cleaner at The Donaldson Trust in Linlithgow, walked over 495 miles during a bespoke eightweek Step Count Challenge hosted by Scotland’s walking charity, Paths for All.
And Elizabeth went on to motivate 15 of her colleagues throughout the Step Count Challenge.
And her achievement also inspired the charity’s Director of People and Operations, Liz Delaney to also walk one million steps in eight weeks along with Lisa Miller, Human Resource Lead at The Donaldson Trust, who was also inspired and set out on her own charitable challenge by walking 75 miles in 10 days for Mary’s Meals.
Lisa said: “I can’t speak highly enough about the positive impact Paths for All’s Step Count Challenge had on our organisation.
“The trust recognises the importance of keeping staff fit and active during the working day and walking is certainly the most accessible and inclusive activity for us to take part in.
“The challenge really spurred everyone on and it actually got quite competitive whilst bringing people together.
“After the Step Count Challenge, I felt inspired to continue walking and decided to walk 75 miles in 10 days for the charity Mary’s Meals.
“With a friend, I walked the equivalent of Glasgow to Dalmally and raised over £5,500.
“Had it not been for Paths for All’s Step Count Challenge increasing my fitness and motivation, I wouldn’t have even considered taking on this quest.
“For all of us it has made us think differently about keeping active whilst we were still in the workplace.
“This included climbing stairs instead of taking the lift, walking to someone’s desk instead of sending an email, and even going on socially distanced walking meetings”.
The Trust also picked up Paths for All’s Walk at Work Award which aims to reverse the trend of inactive workplaces.
Daily local walks boast an array of positive mental and physical health benefits, whilst helping to connect individuals socially, online or with one individual outside, as exercise remains one of the few essential reasons for leaving your home.
Paths for All offers tailor-made Step Count Challenges which invite organisations of all sizes to set-up their own walking challenge to keep their workforce active by connecting colleagues working remotely.
Lauren Watkins, the Trust’s Human Resources Admin Assistant, added: “The challenge encourages you to communicate and interact with new people within your organisation and ultimately leads to better working relationships.
“There is also a competitive edge to it. I found myself one Monday morning lagging behind on the leader board and it spurred me to walk further and catch up with the rest of my team. Everyone is so supportive, and I would recommend it to other businesses.”