GET Active - that's the message of a week-long campaign that aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people in Basingstoke and Deane.

Get Active Week - which will run from July 7 to 13 - is the brainchild of Basingstoke's Sport and Physical Activity Alliance (SPAA).

This is the first initiative of its kind in the borough where many sporting establishments and organisations will open their doors to allow people of all ages the chance to try a new sport at free taster sessions.

Schools, colleges, clubs and local leisure facilities have all given their backing to the campaign and will all be involved in promoting, and participating in, the week.

However, getting active is not just about participating in sport. It could equally mean walking to work for the week, or doing the gardening. Basically, there is something that everyone can do to get active.

Totally Tennis is among the local clubs supporting the initiative and is holding a number of events throughout the week. So, if you are inspired by Wimbledon's finest this week, why not go along?

Down Grange will be a hive of activity as the athletics, hockey and rugby clubs are all holding taster sessions.

Basingstoke Swimming Club is holding an open night for anyone wanting to a make a splash in the pool.

Basingstoke Gymnastic Club, based at the Active Life Centre, will be opening its doors, and the local volleyball club is also holding a taster session.

To take up the opportunity of some free sport, you need to take along a passport, which can be printed off the Get Active website - www.get activeweek.co.uk. This will then be exchanged for the activity that you want to do.

There is also a pledge form on the website, which is where you can pledge to do simple things like take the stairs and not the lift, a morning or evening walk or maybe cycle or walk to work.

The aim is to achieve a 20 per cent increase year-on-year in the number of people taking part in some form of activity by the 2012 Olympic Games, which are being held in Britain.

The website is the place to go to find out more about Get Active Week, including all the events and taster sessions that will be on offer. To find out all you need to know, check out www.getactiveweek.co.uk

3:43pm Wednesday 25th June 2008

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