NHS to reward people who walk 30 minutes a day

NHS to reward people who walk 30 minutes a dayImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, NHS targets "streak" culture to get nation walkingByChloe Hayward, Hugh PymPublished7 minutes agoGetting your steps in has long been linked to better health - and for the first time the NHS is to start giving people rewards for doing exercise.Early next year, NHS England will launch a "marathon a month" challenge, asking people to walk for around 30 minutes a day.Those who do it every day will hit roughly 26 miles a month - the distance of a marathon.Users will be able to log their walks online, or through their phone or smartwatch.And the NHS says those who complete the challenge will then be eligible for rewards - which could include incentives and discounts.'Small chunks would be easy to fit in' Lauren Andrew says she thinks it sounds like a good scheme. "I'd do it. Small chunks would be easy to fit in," she says. "I don't have a gym membership or any of that but I could go for a walk. That's free."But when it comes to incentives, discounts wouldn't cut it. "If my walking is converted into a freebie, like a drink or food, then that would help get me to do it."Image caption, "I could go for a walk. That's free," says Lauren Andrew The under‑25s the BBC spoke to were broadly upbeat about the scheme. One said the gamified challenge would push her to be more active. Not wanting to break a "streak", or run of consistent days, is definitely a motivator for her and her friends. Another, who already clocks up roughly a marathon's worth of walking each month, admitted he'd happily take a free reward for something he's already doing.When it comes to funding, the NHS is covering the initial set‑up, but the wider plan is to draw in philanthropic backing from major corporates as the scheme rolls out.Walking scheme taps into 'streak' cultureThe scheme is being dev...