Big funds to get inactive people walking
20/07/2007
The Ramblers' Association's Get Walking Keep Walking project aimed at people in deprived urban areas of England who aren't already active enough for good health is to benefit from a major National Lottery grant to the Active Travel Consortium.
The Ramblers' Association is a member of the Active Travel Consortium (ATC), a unique grouping of cycling, walking and health organisations delighted to have received funding of £20million from the Big Lottery Fund's Well-being programme to help communities in England build healthier lifestyles.
Together the ATC will deliver projects that enable over two million people to walk and cycle more for everyday journeys. In addition to the Ramblers, the members of the ATC are British Cycling, Cycling England, Living Streets, London Cycling Campaign, National Heart Forum, National Obesity Forum, Sustrans, Transport 2000 and Walk21.
The Ramblers' share of the funds will go to support the Get Walking Keep Walking project aimed at people who aren't already active enough for good health. It will be spent supporting people to do more everyday walking close to home - not only for health and leisure walks but also trips to the shops, school or work.
Get Walking Keep Walking, which has been successfully piloted in South London and South Birmingham, provides free locally based 12-week walking programmes combining information and motivation with led walks and other activities. There is also a DIY pack for those who can't attend sessions.
Around 90,000 people in deprived areas of South and East London, Birmingham, Manchester and Sheffield will benefit from the scheme, which also involves training hundreds of volunteers, including walking ambassadors - keen walkers who can share their enthusiasm and knowledge with others.