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WITH spring well under way, now is the time to gear up for Yeovil’s first green active lifestyle week by pledging to take part in a unique community challenge.

From the beginning of this month, everyone has had the opportunity to sign up to do their bit for GO Yeovil! by taking part in a town-wide pedometer challenge, part of GO Yeovil! week in June.

The campaign aims to get as many people as possible counting their steps. Every step will go towards a total tally which will form Yeovil’s Big Green Footstep.

To take part in the pedometer challenge, participants must pledge £3, and in return will receive a free step counter and a pedometer step count form. This can be done at Asda customer services in Preston Road, Tesco customer services, Yeovil Tourist Information Centre in Petters Way, the Western Gazette offices in Sherborne Road, Yeovil College main reception in Mudford Road, St Margaret’s Hospice reception desk, Yeovil District Hospital main reception and Yeovil Town Council offices in Union Street.

Businesses and organisations can also do their bit by signing their employees up to the pedometer challenge.

Among the businesses that have already agreed to go that one step further are Yeovil Glass and Window Centre, AgustaWestland and Yeovil College.

A GO Yeovil! spokesman said: “Walking as physical exercise is at the heart of GOYeovil! The focus on walking is highlighted with people throughout the town taking part in a week-long pedometer challenge.

“Organisations here and in other parts of the country have embarked on some kind of step counting initiative but nowhere has it been on this scale where the whole community can get involved. The Healthy Living Guideline for a fit person is 10,000 steps a day and many people will be pleasantly surprised to discover how many steps they actually walk just doing their normal job.”

Other activities in GO Yeovil! week include the Ninesprings 9k and 4.5k fun run for adults and 2k fun run for children organised by Yeovil Town Road Running Club, the Hotsteppers Dance’a’thon and the Mobility Wheelchair Challenge.

All funds raised during the week will go to St Margaret’s Hospice in Yeovil and Yeovil Women’s Hospital, which includes the special care baby unit.

A spokesman for GOYeovil! said: “This is a fun week that gets us all working together for a common goal and not a week of pain and lettuce leaves, but for many it is an opportunity to look at lifestyle. No-one wants people preaching at them and that is not the plan.

“There will be offers and opportunities to take part in various activities, with many different physical activities included from the extreme to the modest. All sports, dance, performing arts, cycling, bowling; anything that requires a little or a lot of effort.”

GO Yeovil! week runs from June 13-19. For more information go to www.goyeovil.co.uk

To sign up to any of the Ninesprings fun runs visit www.yeoviltownrrc.com