TEACHERS, pupils and parents are stepping up to a fitness challenge during lockdown, clocking up millions of steps.

And the project has been so successful, it could become a role model for other areas in Scotland.

DrREAM North Ayrshire, run by the council, North Ayrshire Active Schools and KA Leisure, started off by setting a four week challenge for everyone to get up and start moving.

But as interest grew, soon more people were signing up to get active including North Ayrshire Rangers Service at Eglinton Park and people like Irene Sommerville who has been taking pup Motsi out and about on walks as part of DrEAMNA.

Colin Hunter from Kilwinning Sports Club has been walking with his family to boost Beith Primary’s step count.

Even council leader Joe Cullinane has been out running each day to join in.

A total of 617 teachers, 1,170 steppers and 51 schools are now making their steps count.

And each week there is a leader board where the top steppers and schools are listed.

Using the hashtag #DrEAMNA people were asked to tag the project on social media each day before the leaders were announced on Sundays.

Audrey Sutton, Executive Director of Communities and Education for North Ayrshire said: “DrEAM started out as a community project and it grew and grew.

“I was invited to talk to Cabinet Secretary for Communities and Local Government, Aileen Campbell, and we are now trailblazers for public health reform with a focus on diet and healthy weight priority systems at work.

“What’s great is that it is based on simplicity and everyone can join in.”

Last week the project saw the walkers take an impressive 23 million steps between them. To join, visit DrEAMNA on Facebook.