#Steps4Tukikummit campaign inspired Otava staff for a good cause

Otava Group participated in the #Steps4Tukikummit campaign organized by the Tukikummit Foundation in the spring of 2025 to support the flexibility of the workday for the staff and to increase physical activity during workdays. By moving, funds were raised for a good cause at the same time.

#Steps4Tukikummit campaign began on March 3rd and ended with the Helsinki City Running Day event on May 17th. More than 5,000 employees from PwC, CapMan, Otava Group, Aktia, and SAM Headhunting Finland participated in the campaign. Companies committed to the campaign raised a total of 150,000 euros in support for children and young people by encouraging their employees to move.

“This campaign has been a meaningful way for us to do good. At the same time, it has strengthened the sense of community and supported the well-being of the work community. The campaign strongly supports our values,” says Alexander Lindholm, CEO of Otava Group.

“At the same time, the campaign has strengthened the sense of community and supported the well-being of the work community. The campaign strongly supports our values.”

Concrete help to prevent exclusion

The Tukikummit Foundation supports young people who are at risk of being excluded from hobby activities due to the family’s financial situation.

“Hobbies should not be a luxury, but every child’s right. They support growth, provide security, and build self-confidence. I am proud that the campaign makes this possible for more children with the support of business partners,” says Emilia Åberg, CEO of the Tukikummit Foundation.

In Finland, about one in ten children lives in a family where income is not enough even for basic needs. At the same time, the prices of hobbies are rising, which excludes more and more children from activities – even though hobbies are one of the most effective ways to prevent exclusion.

When kilometers accumulate, work efficiency improves

All the kilometers walked or run together by Otava’s staff during the campaign were recorded in the ChallengeRunner system. Otava Group donated four euros to Tukikummit for every kilometer moved. The hope is that physical activity during the workday will become a permanent model.

“I walked to work, and the distance was 15 kilometers. Now my legs are screaming, but I feel satisfied.”

Otava’s most enthusiastic movers walked and ran over 200 kilometers during the campaign. The campaign included two super weeks when it was possible to collect kilometers walked or run even during commutes.

“I walked to work, and the distance was 15 kilometers. Now my legs are screaming, but I feel satisfied,” says Alexander Leppäkoski, IT Director at Suomalainen Kirjakauppa, who walked over 130 kilometers during the first month of the campaign. In total, Leppäkoski moved 207 kilometers during the campaign.

Leppäkoski feels that combining charity with personal health is an excellent combination.

“Physical activity has a positive effect on mental health, and the kilograms fall off.”

During the campaign, Otava’s staff had the opportunity to participate in the Run Better webinar held by Olympic runner Harri Hänninen on April 10th, where Hänninen shared tips on running technique, training, and preparation. Leppäkoski found the webinar useful.

“The webinar was beneficial and interesting as well as calming, as Harri mentioned that usually people run too fast. It is good to know that starting slowly is better.”

Motivated employees for a good cause

Heli Hujanen, a Marketing Specialist at Otava Learning, was also one of those who participated in the #Steps4Tukikummit campaign. The campaign attracted her, among other reasons, because of charity.

“I personally engage in team sports and believe that hobbies should not depend on wealth.”

Hujanen’s commute is 20 kilometers long. During the first super week of the campaign, she walked to work on a slightly longer route.

“Running on the commute doesn’t really work as you would need to have office clothes along with the backpack and laptop. Otherwise, I move several times a week, and now I have also been able to integrate physical activity into workdays.”

Most of Hujanen’s kilometers were accumulated by walking. She traveled a total of 49 kilometers during the campaign.

Key Account Manager Niko Vahtera from Business Customer Relations also sees the campaign as a good thing. He moved a total of 63 kilometers during the campaign.

“The motivation is there: while doing good for yourself, you can do good for Tukikummit – both benefit. There is only positive feedback about the campaign.”

Niko is part of Otavamedia B2B’s sales team, which consists of about ten people. The entire B2B group includes about forty employees. According to Vahtera, the team was nicely motivated to start moving.

“It is easy to join such a low-threshold activity,” Vahtera notes.

Vahtera says that the sales team has a so-called coffee moment once a week when they exchange news and talk about work matters. The moment is suitable for taking a walk nearby or for remote workers, they can go for a walk with their dog and participate in the discussion with earphones.

A more active work culture in the future

Vahtera notes that the best part of the campaign was enjoying the outdoors and the cityscape as well as collective activities.

“In low-intensity activities, you think about things differently, and ideas emerge. Oxygen refreshes the brain and work efficiency improves. In addition, community is important: you end up talking to a colleague you have previously only greeted in the hallway.”

Vahtera hopes that an active work culture will continue.

“Coming indoors after being outside, you feel fresher than when you left. Movement is good for everyone and improves work efficiency. It would be great if this became a permanent model. Besides, it could encourage even more physical activity during free time.”

Artificial intelligence has been utilized in the English translation of this article.