The Ministry of Health and Social Development is making it easy for Virgin Gorda residents to join the Fitness Movement Challenge as territory wide participation is needed in the drive towards a healthier Virgin Islands.

“We want the residents of Virgin Gorda to know that we are coming,” Programme Coordinator Mr. Jason Rubaine said.

According to the Mr. Rubaine a three person team will travel to Virgin Gorda on Wednesday March 11 and their first order of business will be to register a group of teachers from the Bregado Flax Education Complex. The team will register individuals or other groups who would like to join the Fitness Movement Challenge at the Vanterpool Administration Building from 12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m.

“We are making it easy for Virgin Gorda residents to be a part of this important venture as we seek to reduce the occurrences of chronic non-communicable diseases within our community as well as to promote a healthy lifestyle for all of our residents,” Mr. Rubaine stated.

He further added that since the launch of the fitness challenge registration has been steady with over 200 people signed up with 25 individuals and 13 groups. He said the process of registering more groups is continuing.

Mr. Rubaine stated that groups from Scotia Bank, BVI Ports Authority, Royal Virgin islands Police Force, Audit Department, Church of God Holiness, Ministry of Education and Culture, Premier’s Office, Deputy Governor’s Office and a community group from Sea Cow’s Bay have accepted the challenge with more offices already scheduled to be registered.

 “We are excited to see the level of interest and positive feedback we are receiving from the community.  We want to continue to encourage the community to sign up for the Fitness Movement Challenge,” he said.

Registration for the Fitness Movement Challenge ends on Friday March 13.

Businesses, community groups, Government and churches are encouraged to form groups and join the movement. 

A group could have a minimum of five persons with a designated leader and must be committed to walking a minimum of three days per week for 60 minutes or more, or walk five days per week for a minimum of 30 minutes or more.

Groups participating in the run/walk programme will be encouraged to keep a log with information including group members, distance walked and duration. This information will be submitted to the Ministry on a weekly basis.

The VI run/walk programme is a collaborative effort between the Ministry Health and Social Development, the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports and the BVI Olympic Committee.

The Ministry has also implemented a 10-year strategy to improve the health and well-being of the population and reduce the rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases.