People from across Suffolk are being given the chance to win one of a range of fantastic prizes – simply by taking the first steps towards improving their health and wellbeing.

During June, Healthy Ambitions Suffolk is offering children and adults alike the chance to sign up to a free health programme in exchange for entry into a prize draw. To take part, adults simply need to register with the online Healthy Ambitions Suffolk health manager and find out their current health score. All children need to do is register their interest in taking part in the Suffolk Challenge when it relaunches later this year.

A huge range of fantastic prizes are on offer, all of which have been donated by businesses from across the county. These include a folding bike, a family ticket to Go Ape worth £100, 20 tickets to Pleasurewood Hills, a fruit basket donated by the East of England Co-op and an Ipswich Town signed football.

Tickets to Euston Farm Park, month-long leisure passes, taster gym memberships and Healthy Ambitions Suffolk goody bags are also up for grabs.

Sally Hogg, head of health improvement partnerships at NHS Suffolk, said: “We want to inspire and encourage people to take those all important first steps towards better health, and think this prize draw is an excellent way of doing just that.

“We’ve made two fantastic programmes available to bring benefits to absolutely everyone in the county. We’re encouraging children to get more active and eat their five a day through our relaunch of the hugely successful Suffolk Challenge, while adults can make the most of our unique health manager programme.

“This online resource is like having your own personal trainer delivered direct to your desktop, and will assess your current health and wellbeing before offering you tailored help and support to achieve your personal goals. You can also use the programme to find your nearest sports club, exercise class or support group.

“So log on today and take those all important first few steps to boost your health. You’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain – and could even win a fantastic prize at the same time.”

To use the health manager, simply log on by following the links from www.healthyambitionssuffolk.nhs.uk and answer some simple questions about your current health, lifestyle and family history. You’ll then be given a picture of your health now, which gives details of areas where you are doing well and those which could be improved.

You’ll be asked to pick one personal health goal, such as taking more activity, sleeping better, eating more healthily or relieving stress, depression or anxiety. You will then be given access to range of online tutorials and weekly emailed encouragement to help you meet that goal.

To enter the competition, simply visit www.healthyambitionssuffolk.nhs.uk and follow the health manager or Suffolk Challenge links from the homepage.

The competition closes on 30 June. Prize winners will be picked at random and will be notified by 31 July 2010.