Celebrating loveLIFE campaign milestone

THE success of the loveLIFE campaign has been welcomed at the half-way stage.

It is now six months since the Herald Express launched the campaign to get South Devon people happier and healthier.

Torbay Council, Torbay and Southern Devon Health and Care Trust, Sanctuary Housing and South Devon company Europlas are all on board as the main partners in the inspiring project.

So, too, is Torquay-based firm DevonFresh.

The aim is to set a series of challenges over the next year aimed at improving lifestyles.

The challenge over the whole year is for all of us in South Devon to:

quit A MILLION cigarettes

run, walk, pedal, swim or row A MILLION miles

dance A MILLION steps

lose 100,000lbs in weight.

Herald Express editor Jim Parker said: "It has been brilliant working with the care trust, council, Sanctuary, Europlas and DevonFresh.

"It's an initiative which aims to encourage people to be happier and fitter. And judging by the response we've had the campaign has been working.

"With six months still to go, people can still join up and make their pledges to quit smoking, lose weight or get fitter by walking, dancing, cycling or rowing a million miles between us."

A Torbay Council spokesman said: "We are proud to be partners in the loveLIFE campaign. Six months after the launch and following the excitement from the Olympics, local sports clubs are reporting huge numbers of people looking to get active – but there is still room for more.

"Members of the community, councillors and officers from the council have made pledges to the campaign and it is paying off.

"Cllr Jenny Faulkner wasn't able to swim at the beginning of the year, however, after making her pledge to loveLIFE she can now swim eight widths of the pool.

"Sports clubs have also gathered together to support the campaign offering free sessions to encourage people to loveLIFE. We are looking forward to the next six months.

"The campaign has shown that everyone can make a small change to make a big difference in their lives."

A Sanctuary Housing said: "We continue to be a proud supporter of this fantastic initiative, which is already making a real difference to many people's lives across the Bay.

"Sanctuary residents and staff are among those who have signed up to the campaign, and we have seen some real success stories.

"These include healthy eating events, group exercise classes and individuals who have been inspired to lose weight, or have had the support and encouragement behind them to quit smoking.

"There is still plenty of time for local people to get involved and we really want to support as many people as possible across the community to make lifestyle changes in order to live happier, healthier and longer lives."

Richard Merrifield, from the Healthy Lifestyles team at Torbay and Southern Devon Health and Care Trust said: "We are six months into the campaign and it has been fantastic to hear and see all the health and lifestyle pledges that local people have made.

"Making just small changes to your lifestyle, such as introducing some weekly walks or taking up a fitness class can have a really positive impact upon your health and wellbeing.

"Anyone who pledges as part of the LoveLIFE campaign is offered support from our team. We are able to offer help, advice and one to one support for weight management, fitness and quitting smoking.

"There is still another six months to go until the end of the campaign and I hope that the stories so far will inspire even more Torbay residents to take up the LoveLIFE challenge."