With less than a week to go until Wiltshire’s Big Pledge ends, people are being encouraged to take the opportunity to make a positive difference to their health, wellbeing and community.

Wiltshire's Big Pledge, organised by Wiltshire Council, runs until September 30 and challenges people to get healthy, volunteer or make a positive change. This year everyone taking part had the choice to commit to any of 12 pledges.

More than 12,000 people got involved in this year’s campaign. Pledges range from taking the “sugar-swap challenge” or “eating a rainbow”, to volunteering in the community, becoming a dementia friend, or pledging to take an activity challenge.

Even though the campaign is nearing the end it is still not too late for people to make a pledge and get support to help them achieve their aims.

Maggie Rae, Wiltshire Council corporate director, said: “Big Pledge has inspired people to take more of an interest in their health and wellbeing and make positive changes.

"Although our campaign is coming to an end those changes don’t need to stop and there is always support available.

“So I’d ask that people don’t put things off until tomorrow. Today is the perfect day to make a positive change, no matter how big or small, and see what a difference it can make.”

Keith Humphries, Wiltshire Council cabinet member for public health, said: “The Big Pledge has really benefitted from the sense of community we have here in Wiltshire as people have worked together and encouraged each other to achieve their aims.

“Whether it’s been to increase physical activity or do work for charity, we’ve have been really impressed with everybody’s commitment and we hope more pledges are made in the final stages.”

Sanjana Matthews-Mair, a Wiltshire Council employee who took part in the Big Pledge said: “As part of the Big Pledge, as a family we participated in the Wiltshire Challenge.

"It was a team effort. The children and my husband recorded the number of steps they did. Being keen swimmers, the boys and I recorded the number of metres we swam.

"The distance of each different activity including running and cycling was recorded with fun and enthusiasm, with some competivenes.”

Wiltshire’s Big Pledge website contains a host of information to help people make their pledge. It can be found at wiltshire.gov.uk/bigpledge

The Facebook page can be found at facebook.com/WiltshireBigPledge and people should use #BigPledge on Twitter.