Six Wiltshire homes run by The Orders of St John Care Trust (OSJCT) have taken up a collective ‘mile-a-thon’ challenge to walk 606 miles, the distance, as the crow files, between the two famous landmarks. The homes taking part are Athelstan House, Goodson Lodge, Marden Court, Ridgeway House, Seymour House and The Cedars.
Each home was tasked with covering 101 miles each. The team at Marden Court approached the public to help them reach their total.
Kamila Bevan, Home Manger, said: “We approached the public to help us accumulate our miles, sending leaflets out and posting on our notice board. Supporters of the home have joined in – families, friends and community members – we’ve been clocking up the miles.
“One of our first contributors was the Mayor of Calne who joined on the first day. This challenge has been very positive for staff and residents.”
The initiative is the idea of Andy Wood, Area Operations Manager for those homes. He said: “Homes have embraced this challenge. They have worked together to come up with creative ‘routes’ for residents and supporters to walk, and ways to record their progress. Homes have exceeded my expectations and the involvement from residents, staff and families has been amazing.”
The team at Goodson Lodge, Trowbridge, completed their mile-a-thon challenge by the end of June, totalling 127 miles collectively. Volunteer Jill Thomas set out a ¼ mile tour around the home, which residents and visitors used to clock up their ‘miles’. Many used dedicated activities’ time during the week to add to their steps. Resident Maureen who walked the home’s tour with her daughter said: “It wasn’t easy, but I am pleased that I took on the challenge.”
The challenge launched on the 1 June and is expected to run until the end of August. There is no set deadline other than to meet the target of 606 miles.
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