STAFF and volunteers at an Inverclyde health and wellbeing organisation have won an award for practising what they preach.

The team at Inverclyde Bothy, who encourage people to get out walking and cycling, have received a Walk at Work Award from Scottish health charity Paths for All.

The scheme recognises employers who encourage their staff to walk every day.

The team at the Bothy spend their time inspiring and motivating others to get active - and they decided it was time to get involved themselves.

Staff and volunteers formed two teams of five for a step count challenge across eight weeks in October and November.

Together they completed just under 10 million steps, which equates to 4,000 miles - placing them 13th in Scotland overall.

The walkers are now taking part in Ardgowan Hospice's March into March campaign.

The Bothy's health and wellbeing co-ordinator Jenni Murray said the challenge gave the team something positive to focus on in a very strange year.

Jenni said: "We talk the talk but this was our chance to walk the walk and do it for ourselves.

"We work with local employers and try to get them thinking more about active travel.

"We realised that as a local employer, it made sense for us to complete the work for the award ourselves to help us help others.

"The walks and the Step Count Challenge helped us to feel like a team.

"Our volunteers were included as they're so vital in delivering what we do."

The Bothy team of three part-time members of staff and 15 volunteers are looking forward to when normal activities can resume when coronavirus restrictions ease.

Jenni and Bothy co-ordinator Lorna McCartney have even been holding meetings on their walks to work, and both say that being outdoors helped them come up with new ideas.

Jenni says that being able to walk during the pandemic has helped members of the team who have been struggling.

She added: "Staff and volunteers who live alone said it was a lifeline to still have the chance to exercise and keep in touch with colleagues.

"Walking is great for our health and wellbeing and reduces the likelihood of heart disease and strokes.

"You don't need any special equipment to do it, it's free and it's a real motivator."

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WALK THIS WAY: Health and wellbeing co-ordinator Jenni Murray and Bothy co-ordinator Lorna McCartney celebrate the Walk at Work Award.