News & Events: Media Releases
Walking Challenge unites businesses and raises awareness of Heart Health
JUNE 2008
This year St George Privates Healthy Heart for a Healthy Life Campaign united staff from three key organisations in the St George area in the quest for the honour of winning the St George Challenge Cup.
Our mission for Heat Week 4-10 May was accomplished, with the theme of the week to increase awareness of physical activity as one way to improve your general health and help reduce one of the risk factors of heart disease – obesity.
The 10,000 steps walking challenge was the inaugural challenge for the new St George Challenge cup initiative by St George Private Hospital. The St George Challenge Cup will be a perpetual competition for businesses and organisations in the St George area.
The aim is to provide opportunities for healthy and friendly competition amongst within our community and also to promote the effects physical activity and get staff focused and participating in health related activities.
240 staff from St George Private, Kogarah Council and St George Leagues club competed in the challenge, recording their steps for 12 days using a pedometer as part of Heart Week
- Many people indicated that they found a new interest and commitment to incorporating physical activity into their lifestyle.
- Individuals were made aware of just how many steps they take in their day to day activities at work and at play. Staffs from all organisations were certainly focussed on winning the challenge for their organisation and enjoyed participating.
- A healthy and friendly spirit of competition and community between the businesses was developed and the challenge WILL go on as a result!
ABOUT THE WINNERSThe team challenge results were an average number of steps over the 12 day challenge
The St George Challenge Cup will be on display at St George Leagues Cub until challenge 2009. The cup is a 10 year perpetual trophy –so we hope that this is the start of many challenges to come! |
About the Individual winners
The Individual challenge champion was Grant Davies, a Streetscapes Operator at Kogarah Council who walked a staggering 559,026 steps over the 12 days. Grant walked from Allawah to the Sydney Cricket Ground and back again, and Kogarah to Padstow and Gymea – because he loves to walk!
Hot on Grant’s heels was Peter Moody, Carpenter and Doorman from St George Leagues club as runner up and Sean McCombe, Functions Co-ordinator from St George Private Hospital took out 3rd place.
The team challenge and trophy, the St George Challenge Cup was won by a team at St George Leagues Club and the Executive Challenge, by General Manager of the Leagues Club Mr Danny Robinson.
2008 HEART WEEK Blood pressure TESTING RESULTS
The Cardiac team also offered free blood pressure testing to the staff and patrons of St George Leagues Club and the Private Hospital, which yielded some very significant results
- 51% tested with a high blood pressure
- 31% Females over the age of 60
- 25% Females under the age of 60
- 22% Males over 60
- 22% Males under the age of 60
This is fourth free blood pressure testing campaign that the St George Private Cardiac team have run to raise awareness of heart health for our public and business community. We know it is a much appreciated service as 45% of those who tested with a high blood pressure were unaware of a history of heart disease. 55% of those who tested with a high blood pressure had a family history or were being treated for a heart condition.
We will continue with our commitment to the community to focus on raising awareness of Heart Health issues each year during Heart Week.
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