MP helps Ramblers gets Sheffield on its feet at FREE short walks festival

MP helps Ramblers gets Sheffield on its feet at FREE short walks festival
http://www.ramblers.org.uk/campaigns/GWD

On May 30 the Ramblers called on everyone in Sheffield to slip on their trainers or shoes and join them – no matter what age or ability – for a fantastic FREE walking festival to celebrate national Get Walking Day 09.

Angela Smith MP, Sheffield Hillsborough, spearheaded the promotion of the event through the Early Day Motion 1166 in Parliament. So it was with great delight that Sheffield 20 to 30s Walking Group heard that she had accepted their invitations to join them on the launch of their new “Parents and Prams” themed walks. Together, the group experienced the delights of the Rivelin Valley on a short family friendly stroll.

Angela Smith MP comments:
“The Ramblers has a proud history of encouraging people to walk and enabling them to do so, by fighting for such things as rights of way and the right to roam”.

She then went on to discuss with the group how doctors agree that moderate exercise like walking helps protect people from many illnesses and conditions including obesity, depression, heart disease and stroke, high blood pressure, osteoarthritis, the most common type of diabetes and many cancers. She applauded the group for presenting this opportunity for young parents to introduce children to walking. The Chief Medical Officer prescribes 60 minutes of exercise a day for children. Yet, alarmingly, 40 per cent. of children do not meet the minimum target , which presents serious consequences for public health.

The Rambler’s welcome Angela’s support as they want to encourage everyone to take up walking as a pastime for the following reasons:

Walking rewards:

• Walking is free! In the current economic downturn, we at the Ramblers welcome anything which is free! A mile is under a 20 minute walk and so you could save some pennies walking instead of using the bus or your car.
• Walking keeps your body fit and your mind healthy. Walking burns as many calories as jogging over the same distance. Furthermore it boosts happiness and reduces stress.
• Walking is good for the environment. If we all walk more and use our cars less, we will significantly reduce carbon emissions which contribute to climate change.