The UK team at Animalcare has been battling the lockdown blues and supporting their mental health by taking part in an exercise-based ‘Euro- challenge’ to virtually visit all of the cities in which the company’s seven European offices are based.

Each team member is choosing their preferred way of contributing to the total journey of 4,535 miles, with most cycling or running.  As they complete their exercise session, they log their distance on the Strava app.  The team is currently at ‘Barcelona’ – 2,239 miles into the challenge – with ‘Lisbon’ next on the list, before the return trip to Animalcare’s HQ in York.

The company has prepared an online travel guide for each of the cities the team is ‘visiting’ to give an insight into their history, cuisine and attractions.  Before reaching Barcelona, the team had already visited Greifswald in Germany, Breda in the Netherlands, Bruges and Milan.

Animalcare HR Manager Deborah Embleton said: “The pandemic and lockdown have turned life upside down for many over the last couple of months, with mental health charities reporting that they are being contacted by a growing number of people suffering with mental health problems.

“The wellbeing of our team is, of course, our priority and we’re all aware of the benefits of exercise and the positive impact this can have on both our physical and mental health.  Encouraging our team to get active, especially during Mental Health Awareness Week, and to meet the Euro-Challenge, seemed a great way to bring us together.  It’s proving great fun – so much so that some of our European colleagues are now also joining in.  We’re all feeling much better for the exercise and interaction and we’re now focused on covering the remaining miles and getting back to York.”

She added: “It’s an added bonus that to know that, when we do finally get to visit our European offices, we’ll know much more about the cities they’re in!”