Merseyrail passengers have enjoyed a journey with a twist during this week as they took part in the first-ever on train workout class on the network, which was part of the #PassOnYourPassion campaign.

The campaign celebrates women in the workforce of sport and physical activity, and it also aims to inspire more women to join it.

MerseyRail treated passengers on the Ormskirk to Liverpool train line to a seated exercise class led by a female coach, which was designed to be inclusive.

The on-train class featured several pieces of portable kit, for example, resistance bands and an inflatable relay baton that passengers passed down the train as it crossed the Lancashire and Merseyside border.

Any members of the public who want to see where the baton has been, and where it is visiting, they can do so on Twitter using #PassOnYourPassion.

What did the officials say?

Sally Ralston, Corporate Social Responsibility Manager at Merseyrail, said:

“When MSP and Active Lancashire approached us about the idea of holding the on-board class to mark the handover we jumped at the chance.

“It was a perfect fit with our passion for giving people the chance to incorporate active travel into their journeys.

“It was also very timely, given that alongside our current support to help our staff feel the benefits of being more active we have part-funded the first-ever dedicated ground for women’s football as the home turf for Merseyrail Ladies Football Club.”

Speaking about the initiative Teri Wainwright, Workforce Support Officer at MSP, the active partnership for Merseyside, said:

“We know that only 30% of the coaching workforce in the UK is female. Women have so much to give and so much to get from working in the sport and physical activity sector, which is why we’re so keen to back this campaign.

“We’re excited to be ‘running with the baton’ this week across Merseyside and we’ll be out presenting existing coaches with recognition certificates and promoting the #PassOnYourPassion message to inspire others.”

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