May 2013 heralds the launch of one of the most significant campaigns ever to be held in the UK. Think you’ve heard all this before? Don’t click away – we’re not about to ask you to empty your pockets! Britain on Foot™ is a national campaign with a clear objective – to encourage more people in Britain to get active outdoors. This could mean walking to work, hill-walking, geocaching with the family or even taking up mountaineering. The campaign was created and led by the Outdoor Industries Association and Countryside Ski & Climb is proud to be one of its ‘First Funder’ supporting members.
The benefits of keeping fit are well known – living longer for a start. However, there is now a huge body of empirical evidence clearly indicating that well-being, mental distress and health are all significantly improved by access to and activity in green spaces and the outdoors. To give this perspective, think of this positive affect as being roughly equal to a third of the impact of being married or a tenth as large as being employed vs. unemployed*. Furthermore, it is worrying to know that at present one in four British children are deficient in vitamin D which is needed for building strong and healthy bones. Sunlight is a key source of this vitamin as it helps the body absorb calcium and phosphorous from our diets.
Britain on Foot™ is not just about improving the health of the nation though. It aims to highlight how an increase in outdoor activity plays an important part in benefitting the economy, particularly the rural economy, tourism industry and adventure and outdoor industries; all of which make a significant contribution to the overall wealth of our country. In fact tourism contributes £115 billion to income and employs nearly 10% of the population and as the outdoor sector is key to this, it is an absolutely vital part of our wealth. So, ditch the car and see what you or your local group can do to encourage your friends and community to get out on foot more – your country needs you!
*Referenced from a study published in the journal Psychological Science by Dr Mathew White and colleagues at the European Centre for the Environment and Human Health (University of Exeter)