A pilot scheme in east London is looking for people to challenge themselves and Take 12 to get fit for the festive season.

To complete the Take 12 Challenge all you need to do is 12 hours of physical activity or travel 12km in distance – how and when you do it is almost entirely up to you.

The pilot will include people from Waltham Forest, Newham, Hackney, Tower Hamlets, Greenwich and Barking and Dagenham and will run from now until Christmas.

The findings will help shape the full launch of Take 12 Challenge in the New Year. The full programme will aim to reach 12,000 people from across the boroughs with new walking and running routes introduced when the first phase of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park begins to open from July 2013.

Take 12 is the first sport and healthy living project funded by the London Legacy Development Corporation. The Legacy Corporation is committed to developing high performance sport alongside community programmes on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park which encourage healthier lifestyles.

These commitments have been published in a new Sport and Healthy Living policy document alongside specific targets. These include ensuring a minimum of 90 per cent of visits to the sports venues are from people living locally, developing a schools outreach programme and working with sport National Governing Bodies to develop opportunities on the Park for people of all ages. The full policy is available online.

Dennis Hone, interim Chief Executive of the London Legacy Development Corporation, which is based in Stratford, said:

“People living closest to the Park are less likely to be physically active than the average Londoner. The Legacy Corporation is committed to changing that, The Take 12 Challenge is a great example of how the Legacy Corporation is already helping local people get active.

“The pilot will help us test out some of the walking and running routes around Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and find out what local people want to help them stay motivated. We are leading by example by getting involved in the Take 12 Challenge and encouraging all our staff to be more active.

“Next year as we start to open Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park from 27th July 2013 we will be able to encourage people to come and complete the Take 12 Challenge in our fantastic Olympic venues.”

Dan Thompson, Chairman of Take 12 Challenge, said:

“We are delighted to be working with LLDC on this exciting local initiative. Creating a fun and accessible way for local residents, employers, schools and community groups to get active and explore their local community is a fantastic way to bring the Legacy alive.  We hope that thousands will be inspired to take it on and we look forward to supporting them as they do.”

Tasmia Tahia, 17, a Legacy Youth Panel member from Leytonstone, said:

“I can’t wait to start my Take 12 Challenge with the other youth panel members. I am looking forward to trying new sports and hopefully getting fit.”

For more information on the Take 12 Challenge and to sign up and take part in the pilot go to www.take12.org