The South West Women’s Health and Information Centre (SWWHIC) and the Heart Foundation have congratulated their local volunteer walk organisers following National Volunteer Week from May 8-14.
The group meet every Wednesday morning at 8.30am to walk before their cuppa and make up some of the thousands of volunteers around the country who assist the Heart Foundation walking program.
Nationally, the organisers contribute over 1.1 million hours of their valuable time each year to making their communities healthier and spread the Heart Foundation message.
Volunteer walk organiser Nicola Kinniard has been running the local ladies walking club for the last year and said they always welcome new walkers.
“Heart Foundation Walking groups are perfect for people of all ages and fitness levels, but are especially good for people who aren’t currently active and want to change that,” she said.
“People are advised to do moderate exercise for 30 minutes, five times a week to see health benefits. Walking groups are an easy, enjoyable and affordable way to achieve that.”
Heart Foundation chief executive officer Professor John Kelly said the time volunteered was the equivalent of more than 151,000 working days, proving Australia’s only national network of free walking groups remained highly successful.
Mr Kelly said the Heart Foundation was always on the lookout for great volunteers to provide more walking opportunities for the community.
“Walk organisers are provided with free training, together with a range of resources to start and maintain their group,” said Mr Kelly.
For more information on the walking group, contact the SWWHIC on 9791 3350.