The Money Group ( TMG) has announced an industry Get Fit, Get Healthy initiative alongside its brand ambassador, Olympian Ashley McKenzie.
Scott Thorpe, co-founder of The Money Group, said: “We have been looking at some health statistics while building our in-house protection proposition and the link between a healthy lifestyle and continued good health was very obvious.
“I am the last person to take any moral high ground on this and my own weight has increased over the past two years and so I recognised the need to take action.
“Worldwide obesity has tripled in the last 40 years and with over 500,000 NHS admissions being linked to obesity we felt it was time to do something about it on a corporate and a personal level.”
25 people have agreed to be weighed and monitored over a five-week period which will include two personal workouts with Ashley, hints and tips on healthy eating and a personalised fitness programme.
People can get involved on a personal level or as part of a work team and we propose that participants donate to their chosen charity on a one pound lost = £1 basis.
Mike Lawlor, owner of Integrity Wealth, said: “There has been a lot of banter of social media of late about food and Scott’s waistline. We all take it in good faith as we are all friends so I look forward to taking part in this initiative and I am happy to donate one of my fitted shirts to Scott at the end to see whether he can squeeze in to it.”
Ashley Mckenzie is the currently the number one Judo athlete in the UK and will be heading to Tokyo 2020 for his third Olympic appearance.
He said: “These desk boys have no idea of the pain I will inflict on them in the gym! Joking aside , health and fitness are two things very close to my heart and if I can make a small contribution to helping people reach their fitness gaols next year I am happy to get involved.”
James Briggs from Precise Mortgages added: “This is a great idea and working with an Olympic athlete for a few weeks will certainly help keep those at risk from the biscuit tin on their toes.”