Rochdale residents get their walking shoes on

Walk4Life at Hollingworth Lake Country Park

Yesterday (Sunday 26 September 2010) Greater Manchester took part in ITV’s Walk4Life day and hosted a major walk through Rochdale’s Hollingworth Lake Country Park to encourage people to improve their health.

Rochdale joined eight other locations from across England on this day of mass-participation walks led by Change4Life, ITV and key walking groups from across the country.

The British Heart Foundation event kicked off at 10am when walkers were invited to meet at Hollingworth Lake and began walking from 11am. The 5.5km walk continued until 1.30pm and passed through the picturesque hamlet of Whittaker.

The event was open to everyone from experienced ramblers to first-time walkers and the led by local Granada reporter Fred Talbot. Money was raised for the BHF through donations and sponsorships.

Anyone feeling inspired by Sunday’s walks and looking to experience the benefits of walking in the future are invited to visit the newly launched www.walk4life.info website, which allows people to type in their postcode to find a local walk.

Walk4Life is an initiative by Change4Life, bringing together local, commercial and governmental partners together to help people all over the country understand the long-term health risks of a poor diet and sedentary lifestyle. The campaign is helping to highlight the small and simple changes, such as walking which can make a big difference.

Public Health Minister Anne Milton said: “Walking is a great way for families to spend time together. Brisk walking for at least ten minutes is good for improving health and can count towards the recommended activity goals of thirty minutes five times a week for adults, and sixty minutes every day for children. It’s good for you and it gives you a chance to take time out of your busy life - quality time that is free and available to us all."

Shirley McNally, BHF Fundraising Volunteer Manager in Greater Manchester, said: “The walk was set in a wonderful location and we’re delighted that so many people came along to support us and help raise funds to beat heart and circulatory disease, the UK’s biggest killer.”