Airedale ‘Stork Walkers’ step to the top - Airedale midwives win national pedometer step challenge

By RCM on 26 May 2017 Caring For You campaign

A team of midwives and maternity support workers (MSW) from Airedale NHS Foundation trust have won a national pedometer challenge organised by the Royal College of Midwives (RCM). The Challenge was part of the RCM’s Caring for You Campaign. Through collaborations with hospitals across the UK this aims to improve staff health and wellbeing.

Over a hundred teams from across the UK counted how many steps they took over two weeks in April and early May. The winning team are the Stork Walkers from Airedale NHS Foundation Trust. They counted 1,474,539 steps, around 700 miles, over the two weeks. The team win £100 for the RCM branch at their trust.

Midwife and team captain Helen Peet, said: “Our team are highly delighted and proud to have won this challenge. There were many teams at Airedale who participated and there was a healthy camaraderie throughout the unit. Several of us own dogs and it's safe to say that the dogs as well as us humans are slightly relieved that the challenge is over. It's also worth mentioning that one pedometer travelled as far as Spain during the challenge! Well done to all who participated.”

The team members were Caroline Lowe, Anne Boyes, Kelly Dobson, Sharon Robinson, Helen Peet and Sharon Ridd.

Mary Armitage, head of midwifery, is incredibly proud of the determination and enthusiasm shown by the Stork Walkers. She says, “They really have gone the extra mile! This accomplishment is particularly positive as it builds on the work that has already been achieved through the Caring for You campaign.”

Gill Adgie, the RCM’s Head for the North of England and the RCM lead on its Caring for You campaign, said: “I was so delighted with the number of teams that entered the challenge. It was really encouraging to see so many people from across the UK coming together to highlight the importance of staff wellbeing. Well done to the Airedale team and well done to all those that took part.”

To contact the RCM Press Office call 020 7312 3456, or email pressofficer@rcm.org.uk.

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Notes to editors

The RCM is the only trade union and professional association dedicated to serving midwifery and the whole midwifery team. We provide workplace advice and support, professional and clinical guidance and information, and learning opportunities with our broad range of events, conferences and online resources. For more information visit the RCM website at https://www.rcm.org.uk/.