‘We need this remarkable challenge now more than ever’

“Fill your boots with free fresh air therapy” says GP Karen Hegarty from Worcestershire. “Even a short walk is beneficial.”

“If we all did #walk1000miles we’d be slimmer, fitter, happier and healthier. Personally, seeing the effects of Covid and lockdown on my patients has been tough. But walking clears my head, helps me get things in perspective and come to terms with everything. If everyone could be convinced to try it just imagine the benefits in reducing heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis and depression.

The challenge is massively important. The personal benefits for individuals are matched by the economic benefits for the nation – I’ve seen many patients turn their lives around by becoming more active, in particular preventing pre-diabetes progressing to type 2 diabetes. If we walked more we’d be more productive and the NHS savings could be ploughed into better social care, improved cancer services, shorter waiting times and all the other things we need.

Keep running this remarkable challenge. We need walking more than ever and it’s already changed the lives of thousands of people.”