Stockport’s Vernon Building Society is the first business to sign up for the council’s Smile for a Mile scheme.

A total of 36 schools in Stockport have now signed up to the national Daily Mile campaign, which has been rebranded as Smile for a Mile in Stockport’s schools.

Smile for a Mile involves children walking, running or jogging an additional mile every day in addition to their existing sporting activities and the council is now encouraging Stockport businesses to get on board.

Cllr Tom McGee, Stockport Council’s Cabinet member for Health, said: “Brisk, regular walking has a really positive impact on your physical health and mental wellbeing and can improve employee’s productivity.”

“I am delighted that the Vernon Building Society is encouraging its employees to take part in the Smile for a Mile initiative and I’m hoping that their positive experience with this initiative will inspire other Stockport businesses to take part. I’m trying to walk more every day as well because of the benefits it gives.”

Steve Fletcher, Chief Executive at the Vernon, commented: “The council has already had huge success in schools, with more than 6,000 pupils regularly involved since 2016.

“As an employer of choice in Stockport, we want to encourage our staff to live a healthier lifestyle and do things differently – that’s why we have become the first business in Stockport to take part in the campaign and collectively ‘walk to Moscow’ in time for the World Cup final, which involves us together walking more than 3,000 miles above our normal routine.

“Many colleagues are really embracing the opportunity to be more active, often in creative ways – walking meetings are now becoming commonplace.”

For more information about the scheme, contact Russ Boaler, Consultant for Physical Education, Sport & Physical Activity at Stockport Council, on 0161 474 3941.