Residents of Medway have walked, skipped and jumped the entire distance around the world – an astounding 24,901 miles – as part of the Medway Can campaign.
The campaign aims to promote the benefits of living a healthy lifestyle and encourage everyone who lives, works and learns in Medway to get moving, and since launching in May 2022 the people of Medway have truly stepped up to the challenge.
From activity days at schools including Oaklands Primary School and the Academy of Woodlands, to inclusive sports days and exercise classes – there’s been something for everyone to get involved with.
Cllr David Brake, Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder covering Public Health, said: “It’s a fantastic achievement for Medway to have moved around the entire world, and I’d like to thank everyone who took part and rose to the challenge. This ambitious campaign has really highlighted what’s possible when everyone works together towards a common goal.
“We are also pleased to continue work on the Medway Can campaign, which has gone from strength to strength. This event is a fantastic opportunity for residents to get involved in an initiative to become healthier, more active and move a mile. Residents can also find out more about the benefits of healthy eating – whilst proving it doesn’t have to break the bank.”
So, how did Medway get around the world?
Ready, Set, Go!
From day one Medway Can’s goal was to get the community moving, which is why we were proud to be able to work with Oaklands Primary School at Medway Can’s launch in May of 2021.
Students took part in activities like noughts and crosses relay, activity dice games and hills and valleys which got everyone moving. After a session full of activities, students logged their miles on Medwaycan.com and kickstarted Medway Can’s journey around the world. Medway’s community would only continue to amaze us as time went on!
Travelling the Medway Mile
Medway got its running shoes on to get us even further around the world. Originally held in 2007, the Medway Mile has become a staple event to get people active and moving. From young’uns to old’uns to all ages in between, hundreds got involved in the fun run.
After the fun of the traditional mile and some extra events including the mascot run, many community members logged their miles with Medway Can, skyrocketing us even closer to what was soon to be the halfway point for Medway Can. Australia, here we came!
Inclusive Sports Event Day
Medway Can had the pleasure of partnering with organisations within Medway to put on an inclusive sport event. The wonderful instructors ensured everyone was able to get moving while still being supported.
During the day participants took part in sessions designed for families, women only events and for those with visible and non-visible disabilities. Gentle seated activities were also available.
A special thank you to the organisations that made this event possible: Anchorians Football, Cannons Rugby, Strive, Tri-Club, Prince Arthur Bowls Club, Drum Fit, ROCC, Parkinsons / NVDi, Medway Parents & Careers Forum and Medway Public Health.
Medway Up for the Fight!
Medway Can learned to box with free classes during October, with instructors teaching class attendants how to dodge and weave with the best of them. Classes were completely free and were open to everyone regardless of experience level. By the time classes had begun, Medway Can was halfway around the world!
Another special shout out to The Paramount Foundation for letting us make these events happen, and for their hard work on their Twilight Gears project. This project is designed to get bikes that would otherwise be scrapped back in ship shape and given out to those in the community.
Medway Schools Get Moving
Despite the cold weather, Medway schools got moving and kept logging their miles to keep Medway Can moving!
During November Kids took part in the November Mile. Many leaves were crunched underfoot as kids jogged, walked and skipped around playgrounds to get active and let out some extra energy for fifteen minutes in between classes.
December was no slower with kids getting involved in the Medway Can Stars challenge. Everyone (including teachers!) got involved by doing star jumps every day for an entire week to become Medway Can Stars!
Just some of the many schools who got involved were : Oaklands School, Bryony School, Bligh School, St Thomas of Canterbury CPS, St Benedict’s CPS and St Helen’s COE Primary School.
Medway gets in a Strictly mood
Medway got on their dancing shoes with the Women Allowed event and the Festive Tea Dance.
Hosted in partnership with The Magdale Ministry, women got their groove on with a wonderful instructor to the tune of some music. The event helped Medway Can rack up even more miles, as only 30 minutes is equal to an entire mile!
Medway was still in a dancing mood in December with the Festive Tea Dance, hosted at Jasper’s Community Café. Those in attendance tried their hand at Ballroom and Latin Dancing after having a lovely warm cup of tea.
With all that dancing, it’s no wonder Medway Can was moving so quickly!
Medway Gets Festive
Medway got into a festive mood in December with the Santa Dash and the Medway Can Elf Walk.
The community got “Elfy” with the Community Elf Walk. Everyone in attendance had a stroll around Riverside County Park while wearing their festive santa hats, helping Medway get even closer to reaching all around the world. By now, Medway was way past halfway around the world and was about to make it to Brazil!
Santa came to town soon after as Medway Historic Dockyard was filled with Santas! Santas of all ages dashed through the dockyard to raise money for The Rotary Club of Medway.
What an amazing journey it has been, but we won’t stop there!
Residents of Medway are throwing down the gauntlet and attempting this incredible challenge of doing it all again – so get involved!
#MedwayCan
