A team of Huntingdonshire businesses are working with a cancer charity to introduce a new health initiative supporting patients to remain active during and after treatment.

The scheme - Get Active - has been launched by the Hunts Community Cancer Network (HCCN) with the help of Hunts Post Business Awards Innovation winners Activ8rlives and Bluntisham-based Forefront Fitness.

Activ8rlives managing director, Kevin Auton, said: “I’m thrilled we are involved in a project where we can work with a group of individuals who embrace self-monitoring and feel empowered to take ownership and responsibility for their recovery and wellness going forward or detecting declining health early.”

Those who will take part in the scheme will be supplied with an Activ8rilives BuddyBand2, which, when worn, will track the activity carried by the user and upload it to an Apple or Android app.

They will then work with a qualified trainer, from Forefront Fitness, who will draw up an activity plan including home-based exercises, structured exercise classes or advice on attending a gym.

Marion Foreham, from Forefront Fitness, said: “We read about HCCN in the newspaper and all the good work that they do – we really wanted to help. This system opens up a way of helping and monitoring many people on their own cancer journey.”

The BuddyBand2 will monitor progress, targets, and even offer rewards to ensure individuals gain maximum benefits from the programme.

A pilot of the scheme was carried out earlier this year, with 15 patients, and following its success it is now being rolled out to other patients across Huntingdonshire.

A spokesman for HCCN said: “Current research points to the importance of people with a cancer diagnosis returning to exercise whilst still undergoing treatment and then to maintain the exercise habit as they live with or recover from cancer.

“The scheme allows people to become independent and confident in their activity and fitness plans whilst undergoing treatment or beyond.”

To be able to support everyone who wants access to the scheme more funding needs to be raised. Go to www.justgiving.com/hccn to donate.