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Some 190 walkers from the popular Walking for Health in Wolverhampton each completed more 120 health walks in just 1 year, and joined Mayor Councillor Barry Findlay to mark the achievement.
The Walking for Health programme was launched in 2001 to encourage people to take more exercise. Fifteen years on, its initial 3 weekly walks have grown to around 40 free walks across the city each week with around 2,000 regular participants.
They range from easy 30 minute walks around parks to more challenging, 90 minute walks which go off the beaten track. There are also heritage health walks with expert commentary on the history and heritage of the local area, British Sign Language led walks for people with hearing difficulties and toddle waddles for parents and babies.
Hayley Scott, Walking for Health co-ordinator, said: "Walking is a great way of getting fit for free and can help reduce stress, increase energy, improve posture, strengthen muscles, joints and bones, help you to lose weight or maintain your current weight, help you to sleep better and protect against heart disease and stroke.
"The Walking for Health scheme has something for everyone, whatever their age and ability, and with walks in locations around the city, offers a great chance for people to improve their health and fitness while also discovering parts of the city they may not have seen before."
Mayor Councillor Findlay said: "Walking for Health is a fabulous programme which is having a positive impact on the wellbeing of the people of Wolverhampton. I was pleased to meet so many inspiring people who have completed over 120 health walks in the last 12 months, and in doing so are taking steps to improve their own health."
For more information about Walking for Health, and to see the programme of activities, please visit Type=links;Linkid=6775;Title=Walking for Health in Wolverhampton;Target=_blank;, call 0800 0734242 or email rwh-tr.walkingforhealth@nhs.net.
- released: Thursday 7 July, 2016