Over 250 people entered and now the winners of the latest Active Sheffield Challenge, which called for people in Sheffield to up their ‘physical activity’ game, have been announced at a special ceremony.

An awards ceremony for the Challenge, which is in its second year and is organised by The People’s Movement, Sheffield’s physical activity campaign, was opened by Deputy Lord Mayor Jane Bird, in the Lord Mayor’s Chamber in the Town Hall.

Nominations came in thick and fast, proving people in Sheffield really are keen to get on the move. But, one winner Sharon Ogram, aged 53 from Longley, proved she was a real champion. Sharon won the Adults (18 – 59) category after she joined her local gym after having a below-the-knee amputation on her right leg, and toes amputated on her left foot. She said: “I had to have the operations due to my diabetes and I was referred to the gym by the hospital around a year after my leg amputation as I was still using my wheelchair and we needed to prevent muscle wastage. I attended the Hillsborough Leisure Centre and I have a personal trainer to help me. I have really enjoyed the sessions; they have helped me to walk much better. I am proof that physical activity is vital to staying fit and healthy!”

Another physical activity champion was Maureen Hancock, aged 60 from Parsons Cross, who won the Older People (60+) category of the challenge after increasing her physical activity to help raise her self-esteem and confidence after losing her husband. Maureen said: “My husband passed away a couple of years ago and at the beginning of this year I decided I needed to get out and do something and I saw an advert in a local magazine for a 50+ activity group held at Parsons Cross Park. During the sessions and despite having arthritis in my right foot, I have been walking for up to four hours at a time and also doing exercise classes such as Chairaerobics and Boccia. I had been taking three blood pressure tablets and anti-depressants since losing my husband and within three months of increasing my physical activity levels, I was down to one blood pressure tablet and I managed reduce my anti-depressants too. The group is excellent, it not only keeps me fit and healthy but I have made some good friends.”

All entries were categorised into Family; Groups; Older People (60+); Young People (0-17); Adults (18-59) and Schools. All finalists received a certificate and the winners also received vouchers for sport and leisure goods.

Paul Billington, spokesperson for The People’s Movement, said: We have had a great response from the people of Sheffield and I would like to congratulate all of this years’ entries on their success – they were all winners. It’s excellent to see how physical activity really pays off and helps people in many ways. I congratulate all the winners for their hard work.”

Councilor Mike Pye, Cabinet Advisor for Culture at Sheffield City Council, said: “I was pleased to attend the Active Sheffield Challenge Awards ceremony, everyone that entered the competition has done amazingly well. The success of the competition proves that physical activity is important to the public and The People’s Movement campaign helps people’s goals to become a reality.”