A new walking challenge has been launched in East Suffolk – with vouchers and digital tech up for grabs as prizes for taking part.

East Suffolk Council has teamed up with community-based walking app Go Jauntly to create the month-long challenge, set to launch at the beginning of October.

Challengers will be asked to walk a minimum of 20 minutes a day – with digital badges to be collected at key milestones and prizes to be won in a weekly draw.

The initiative is designed to promote the positive physical and mental health benefits of walking.

As part of the Digital Towns programme, East Suffolk Council has been working with Go Jauntly to develop outdoor adventures across all 12 of the district’s principal towns and villages.

The programme has already seen the installation of free public Wi-Fi, digital footfall counters and town marketing platforms, alongside business support, in towns including Felixstowe, Lowestoft, Southwold and Woodbridge.

Cllr Letitia Smith, East Suffolk Council’s cabinet member for Communities, Leisure and Tourism, said: “I think people might sometimes see the real world and the virtual world as mutually exclusive – but getting outdoors to exercise and connect with nature need not be incompatible with technology.

“This challenge is a way for people to reconnect or further enhance their experience of our beautiful district, including our diverse and vibrant town centres.
“We have such a rich and varied landscape to enjoy – and Go Jauntly has put in our hands a wealth of walking guides, tours and trails.
“Walking helps cut congestion and air pollution, while boosting people’s health and wellbeing through physical activity.
“I’m really pleased that we are working in partnership with Go Jauntly to create adventures across our towns and to have a focus on our high streets to support footfall within our town centres as part of the Digital Towns programme.”

Hana Sutch, Go Jauntly CEO and co-founder, said: “Following the successful launch of over 70 miles of walking routes in East Suffolk on the app, we’re excited to announce the new East Suffolk Explorer walking challenge.

“Walking is fun, free and easy, and so good for your physical and mental health.

“Download the app and sign up to the East Suffolk challenge and walk at least 20 minutes a day to participate. We encourage everyone in East Suffolk to get involved and feel happier and healthier – and maybe even win a prize.”

The East Suffolk Explorer challenge runs from Monday 3 October to Sunday 31 October on the Go Jauntly app, which can be downloaded for free from the Apple Store or Google Play, via the links below.

After signing up to the challenge via the app, each participant can choose from walks or trails to explore.

They will be able to log their steps, unlock badges and be entered into a weekly prize draw for opportunities to win leisure centre vouchers, Go Jauntly subscriptions, fitness trackers and a smart watch.

Challengers must be residents of East Suffolk to be eligible to win prizes and will be automatically enrolled by signing up to the East Suffolk Explorer challenge and providing an accurate postcode on the Go Jauntly app.

Download ‘Go Jauntly’ on either the App Store or Google Play via the links below