Greater Building Society staff are getting out from behind their desks and stepping up in support of a 4-week activity based challenge to get fit and help children and adults with cerebral palsy. 

The Greater currently has 13 staff teams of four registered to take part in STEPtember, an Australian-inspired global health and wellness initiative where participants do 10,000 steps a day from 4 September until 2 October.

Ten teams come from The Greater’s head office in Hamilton, with other teams coming from branches in Wollongong, Dubbo and Port Macquarie.

“STEPtember is a wonderful initiative that encourages our staff to get active for one month, and at the same time fundraise and raise awareness to support children and adults with cerebral palsy”, Kelly Eather from Great Building Society said.

“The Greater has supported Cerebral Palsy Alliance and its youth mentoring programs since 2008 and the Greater Charitable Foundation is currently funding a number of Cerebral Palsy Alliance programs and initiatives. It is wonderful to see our staff also displaying such passion and enthusiasm for this cause.”

“Our staff teams have lots of fun activities planned, including fitness challenges and fundraising initiatives, and we’re looking forward to some friendly rivalry to see which teams do the most steps!'”

STEPtember participants aim to do 10,000 steps a day, which is the recommended daily minimum for an average healthy person. The average office worker takes just 2,500 steps a day.

Participants wear a pedometer and log their daily steps online, moving their STEPtember team up a virtual mountain. More than 40 different activities can also be converted into steps, making clocking up the 10,000 steps a day achievable and fun.

Last year, one team from The Greater participated in STEPtember, with their enthusiasm resulting in the initiative being adopted en masse throughout the organisation this year.

“The Aussie competitive spirit will no doubt ensure The Greater teams enthusiastically step out and lead the charge up the virtual STEPtember mountain”, Rob White of Cerebral Palsy Alliance said.

“We are grateful for the way staff throughout The Greater’s network have embraced STEPtember, as this is one activity-based challenge where everyone wins ‚Äì the participants who have fun and get fit, and the people with cerebral palsy they are so generously supporting.’

To sign up a team or to support The Greater’s teams, visit the STEPtember website.