The BetterPoints HItravel challenge allows everyone who lives, works or studies in the Highlands, Moray, Argyll & Bute, Orkney Islands and the Western Isles to earn BetterPoints for walking/wheeling, cycling and using public transport. One such prize is the HItravel Hero. Simon was chosen as our latest winner and received 20,000 BetterPoints (£20) for sharing his story. For your chance to win, download the app via the App Store or Google Play or by scanning the QR code at the bottom of the page.
Meet Simon from Orkney. With the BetterPoints app, he’s turning his downtime with family into lasting memories!
Here's what he said about his BetterPoints experience:
Simon Robertson, from Orkney, is a painter and decorator who loves the outdoors. He’s been crowned a BetterPoints HItravel Hero for his commitment to getting out walking, often exploring the trig points scattered across the islands.
“I found BetterPoints online and thought this would be a good way to motivate me to do more. I am happy to say I now have my wife and children on board too but obviously I’m top of the leaderboard.”
Although his day-to-day travel hasn’t changed dramatically, Simon says the app has encouraged him to walk more and explore beyond his usual routes.
“After downloading BetterPointsI’ve definitely found lots of places I’ve not been before and walked to places that are off the normal routes.”
For Simon, the biggest reward has been time spent with his wife.
“I feel getting out more isn’t just better for my fitness but I’ve spent much more time with my wife as we go walking together, and I hope to keep this up through the winter. We keep each other motivated to go out and spend less time looking at screens.”
Living in rural Orkney, the family still needs to use the car for many journeys, but walking has transformed their downtime.
“I also feel like people say they don’t have time but I do feel switching off a TV, putting your phone down and just getting out makes me feel much better about myself. Not only that but you get to see so much that you would never see if you were in a vehicle.”
From Orkney’s dramatic coastal scenery to encounters with its famous Highland cows, Simon says the wildlife and landscapes are part of what makes walking so enjoyable.
One of Simon’s favourite features of the app is being able to look back at what he’s achieved.
“Keeping my crown on the leaderboard is great, but seriously though I think the best bit is actually having a log of the walks to do and to see how far you’ve travelled.”
Although he hasn’t cashed in his BetterPoints yet, he’s looking forward to the rewards
“I haven’t used any of myBetterPoints yet, this will hopefully change soon. I mean everyone loves a freebie!”
And Simon’s message to others is simple.
“I feel BetterPoints is very easy to use and that it can motivate people, that can’t be a bad thing. I think lots of people have nice walks on their doorstep and should get signed up and enjoy what’s around them. You don’t just have to be walking to work.”
Research backs Simon up, according to a study published in The Lancet Public Health (2017), people who walk or cycle with others report higher levels of social wellbeing. That makes Simon’s choice to head out with his wife not just healthy, but socially rewarding too.
Well done to Simon! By sharing his story, he is our HiTravel Hero and the winner of 20,000 BetterPoints (£20!). To join Simon and hundreds of others earning rewards for all of their sustainable journeys, download the app via the QR code below or the buttons at the bottom of the screen.
