3 April 2008

Festival for Walking

50 walk leaders from across the Southern area have taken part in an annual walking festival.

The Southern Area Walking Festival brings together trained Volunteer Walk Leaders from Craigavon, Banbridge, Armagh, Dungannon and Newry and Mourne.

Organised by the Southern Health and Social Care Trust, the day gave recognition to volunteers who set up and lead walking groups throughout the year. It was also a networking opportunity for volunteers to exchange information on walking locations, funding opportunities and other topics.

The walk leader programme is funded by the Southern Area Physical Activity Implementation Group (SAIG) to train a network of volunteers to organise safe and fun walks in their communities. With the emphasis on walking for health, the scheme targets those who exercise least.

Sabrina Hinds, Physical Activity Coordinator for the Southern Health and Social Care Trust said: “Research has shown that that brisk walking is one of the most accessible and inexpensive forms of exercise. It has been proven that 30 minutes of moderate physical activity, like walking, most days of the week can positively improve a person’s health, reducing the risk of heart disease, obesity, stroke, diabetes, osteoporosis and bowel cancer. Walking can also help to reduce stress while being a social and enjoyable activity.”

The walking festival included a presentation from the Countryside Access and Activities Network for Northern Ireland who promoted their Walk Northern Ireland website www.walkni.com

The day ended with two walks around the Lough Neagh Discovery Centre, led by a member of Craigavon Borough Council’s conservation team.