A NEW way to get healthy is on the horizon for anyone who thinks they might have eaten one too many mince pies this festive season - all while helping a leading charity.

Cancer Research UK branches across Cumbria have launched a new scheme - Walk All Over Cancer - requiring those that sign up to walk 10,000 steps a day for a month.

Alison Barbuti, the charity’s spokeswoman for Cumbria, explained that Cancer Research UK hopes the national scheme will promote the benefits of exercise as well as raising funds for their lifesaving work.

“We are encouraging people to visit our website and to sign up now,” Alison said.

“January is the perfect time to commit to get a bit more active in 2019.

“Signing up to Walk All Over Cancer is a great way to kick-start a healthier lifestyle.”

Participants that sign up will have the opportunity to then raise money for the charity for completing their goal.

“Not only will taking on the challenge help raise money, it has health benefits as well,” Alison continued.

“Moderate exercise can help build stamina, burn excess calories and protect against a range of diseases including cancer.”

Alison explained that the scheme may not be for the faintest of heart however.

“Ten thousand steps is equal to about five miles, based on the average person’s strides. That’s quite a challenge for many people.

“But adopting small lifestyle changes – from walking to work or taking the stairs instead of the lift – will help make the goal feel achievable.”

There is plenty of time to get into shape for the challenge however, as it requires participants to complete 10,000 steps a day throughout the month of March.

“By signing up now to take part in March, there’s lots of time to plan ways to fit in some extra steps every day,” said Alison.

“Participants can take part on their own or ask family, friends and colleagues to join them.

“Cancer survival has doubled since the early 1970s and Cancer Research UK’s work has been at the heart of that progress.

“But every step our doctors, nurses and scientists take relies on donations from the public and the tireless fundraising of our supporters. There are more than 200 types of cancer and we need continued investment in research to help us find new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat them all.”