The Beat the Street Merton game has entered its Go Explore week encouraging participants to find the borough’s best heritage and cultural gems.
More than 20,000 participants have now signed up for the game and have together walked, cycled, run and scooted more than 145,000 miles across the borough, with more active travel miles clocking up every minute.
This week there are bonus points on offer on some Beat Boxes to help you get out and about.”
At the Go Explore stage there are bonus points to collect, including triple points from random beat boxes across Merton all weekend, Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 April.
Beat the Street is also teaming up with the Walk and Talk Movement offering bonus points for walk and talkers on Saturday 1 April. This free and fun community walk for all ages and abilities takes place from 10.30am to 11.30am -plus pets are welcome. There are five walks happening in different green spaces across Merton listed on the Beat the Street website.
If you haven’t already joined, there is still time to sign up for the free, community-wide game. Cards are available from distribution centres or players over the age of 13 can download the Beat the Street app.
Players then join a school, community, workplace or charity team. The two official charities are the Mayor of Merton’s charities, Dons Local Action Group and the Jimmy Asher Foundation.
According to one player: “We wanted to share how excited we are to participate in this adventure. We walked nine miles today so we could get points. This is an amazing project.”
Beat the Street has been commissioned by Merton Council and NHS South West London with support from the National Lottery via Sport England. It is being delivered by Intelligent Health.
Councillor Brenda Fraser, cabinet member for children’s services, said: “It’s great to see how adults and children have embraced the Beat the Street game and clocked up an impressive number of miles. I hear reports from the participating schools that children are happier, more focused and switched on as being active at Beat the Street helps them to concentrate and do better at school.
“This week there are bonus points on offer on some beat boxes to help you get out and about and to find new routes to school or work, plus other local areas you may not have known about.”
It’s great to see so many Merton residents rising to the challenge.”
Vanessa Ford, chief executive at South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust and Merton Place Convenor said: “One of the best things you can do for your physical and mental health is to move more in our glorious green spaces. The Beat the Street game is a fun way to clock up the miles, on foot or by bike, as soon as you leave your front door, encouraging lasting lifestyle habits. It’s great to see so many Merton residents rising to the challenge.”
More information is available on the Beat the Street website.