Pictured above: (l-r) Geraldine Breward, Clare Nock, Lakvier Bhatti, Daniel Cushion and Robertino Todino on the bike

Employees at Nottingham call centre Domestic & General didn't have to cycle TO work to stay healthy recently - they had the rare opportunity to cycle AT work…

Employees at the Talbot Street centre took time out of their busy day to take part in a cycling challenge for the chance to win a brand new mountain bike.

The "Get on Your Bike to Win a Bike' event was part of Domestic &General's Wellness Wednesday initiative which is run each month to try and promote a healthy lifestyle to its employees.  Deborah Martin, site operations manager at Domestic & General says: "We take the health and wellbeing of staff very seriously and wanted to promote the health benefits of cycling to them with the added incentive of winning their own bike."

Everyone who cycled for at least five minutes on a stationary exercise bike - kindly loaned by Nottingham department store John Lewis - was entered into a prize draw to win the bike. The lucky winner was planning and performance department's Peter Madin.

Smaller prizes were handed out during the day for achievements including 'fastest speed' and 'furthest distance'. Information on the health benefits of cycling were also detailed on the company's intranet.

Two employees who particularly impressed with their efforts were Gavin Robinson from the registrations department and Robertino Todino from the product replacement department who both cycled over ten miles. 

Deborah added: "There was a great vibe throughout the day and a really competitive element to the challenge. These special, motivational days give the staff a real lift and a chance to have a break from their working day."

Wellness Wednesday events are varied and can range from sport and activities to wellbeing and beauty treatments. "The initiative is not only beneficial to the company in terms of productivity, but also to our staff who will feel healthier and happier," added Deborah.