East Suffolk Council is planning to run a challenge for local residents using the community based walking app Go Jauntly.
It is going to launch the scheme, named the East Suffolk Explorer Challenge, at the beginning of October, encouraging people to a walk a minimum of 20 minutes a day with digital badges to be collected at milestones.
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 draw for leisure centre vouchers, Go Jauntly subscriptions, fitness trackers and a smartwatch.
The council said the initiative is aimed and promoting the benefits of walking to physical and mental health.
Under its Digital Towns programme it has been working with Go Jauntly to develop outdoor activities across its principal towns and villages. The programme has already involved the installation of free public Wi-Fi, digital footfall counters and town marketing platforms.
Technology for outdoors
Cllr Letitia Smith, East Suffolk’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.
