In celebration of Emergency Services Day, wed love it if you’d join us in registering to take part in a month-long fitness and wellbeing charity challenge to raise money for four fantastic emergency services charities!
The Blue Light Get Active Challenge has been launched by national charities The Fire Fighters Charity, The Air Ambulance Service, The Ambulance Staff Charity and Police Care UK in partnership with along with us here at Blue Light Card and our friends at Get Active.
From the 1st until 31st October, you’ll be tasked with clocking up as many miles or minutes of fitness or mindfulness exercises as you can. The campaign aims to help improve the health and wellbeing of Blue Light community workers while raising vital funds for the four charities that provide much-needed support to the UK’s emergency services teams.
Following an exceptionally challenging two years where emergency services teams have been under more pressure than ever before, a recent study by MIND revealed that 69% of emergency responders felt like their mental health had deteriorated as a result of the pandemic. This was due to increased workloads, exposure to traumatic events and worries over passing on coronavirus to their loved ones.
Figures from Get Active have also revealed that one in three people of working age suffer with poor mental health, with 70 million working days lost each year in the UK as a result. However, widespread research has revealed that exercise has many benefits for our mental health and wellbeing, with one report by the UK’s Chief Medical Officers finding that there is a 20-30% lower risk of depression for adults who participate in daily physical activity.
This Autumn’s campaign marks the second Blue Light Active Challenge following a successful challenge in January which saw a total of £15,000 raised for the four causes in January of this year
Our CEO, Tom Dalby, said:
“Our emergency services teams work incredibly hard day in, day out, but the past year and a half has seen them facing huge amounts of pressure, with many sacrificing their own health to keep the nation safe in the wake of COVID-19. The pressures of working tirelessly can have a significant emotional impact on those working within the blue light community but fitness and mindfulness exercises can play a big part in helping to overcome that.
“Supporting our emergency service workers is at the core of what we do so this Get Active Challenge is a particularly special one for us. I can’t wait to see how many take the time out of their day to focus on their health and wellbeing in October, all while raising money for a fantastic cause.”
You’ll also be able to download the Get Active app and track your progress during the month. There will be points awarded for taking part in activities, and a leader board will be updated throughout the duration of the campaign with the overall winner crowned at the end of the challenge. Everyone who signs up and completes an activity will also receive a medal at the end of the month. We can’t wait to have you on board!
To register and for more information on the Blue Light Get Active Challenge visit: https://bluelightgetactive.com
