Our team go the extra mile for wellbeing challenge

SGN Natural Gas is literally going the extra mile – 500 miles to be precise – as part of an ambitious wellbeing challenge currently being undertaken by staff members.

The company chose International Women’s Day (IWD) to launch the five-week challenge together with colleagues at SGN who look after the gas network in the south of England and Scotland. SGN is making a donation to Women’s Aid NI, which provides support and services to women and children experiencing domestic violence in the local network area. 

Both SGN Natural Gas and its parent company SGN are encouraging their teams to collectively walk, run or cycle 500 miles between 8th March and 11th April, raising money for charity in the process. 

That’s five weeks to cover roughly the equivalent of three circuits of the SGN Natural Gas network in the west of Northern Ireland from Artigarvan - Strabane - Omagh - Enniskillen - Derrylin – Dungannon - Coalisland – Cookstown - Magherafelt and back to Strabane! 

 

While gyms remain closed, getting outside for a walk, run or cycle is still on the menu as part of our daily exercise, or treadmills and exercise bikes can be used instead. Regular exercise is an important part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle and aside from the obvious physical benefits, getting active can help combat mental health issues, stay connected with colleagues while socially distanced, and is a great way to lift your mood.

 

The four teams from SGN Natural Gas have now reached the latter stages of the five-week challenge. Lynsey Orr, Administration Team Manager, is captain of the all-female team ‘Girls on the Run’ which also includes Judith Day, Marianne Wallace, Ciara McGeown and Danielle Bell.

 

Lynsey said: “The ‘Five-Week Wellbeing Challenge’ organised by SGN could not have come at a better time for me. It’s the incentive I needed to motivate myself to get active. I plan on walking my dog to contribute to the combined team goal of 500 miles.”

 

“Working at home whilst home schooling three children has been difficult and this gives me a reason to make time for myself each day, put on my audiobook and get out into the fresh air. I think it will do wonders to help clear my head of daily stresses and improve my mood for the better.”

 

Colleague Sara Bain, can feel her competitive side coming out! She’s part of the rival ‘Happy Feet’ team. Sara said: “I decided to take part in the challenge because it gives me the motivation to get up and be active. Doing the challenge as part of a team is exciting and the support will keep us all going with a little friendly competition! The achievement at the end will hopefully give me the incentive to keep the exercise going.”

 

The four teams include: Lynsey Orr (Captain), Judith Day, Marianne Wallace, Ciara McGeown, Danielle Bell; Mary O’Kane (Captain), Chris Shine, Sara Bain, Sinead Cusack, Joanne Quinn; Mark Davidson (Captain), David Butler, Ryan Todd, Lyndsey McClune, Dominic Scullion; Chris McMullan (Captain), Darren Young, Jamie Cunningham, Daniella Sloan, Samantha Trimble.
 
Watch this space for further details on their progress in the coming weeks!