‘#walk1000miles has inspired me beyond words. I never feel I’m on this journey alone.’

How Country Walking and the #walk1000miles community have helped 63-year-old Dave Playle make changes that have saved his life.

In January 2020, I was rushed into hospital with a number of health concerns. My lung had collapsed, I had pneumonia and high levels of ammonia in my blood. I was on a ventilator and during tests they found a mass on my kidney.

I was 27½ stone back then, and couldn’t walk more than a few feet. To give myself a fighting chance of survival I needed to change my life around. I pushed to build up my fitness and by now I was reading about #walk1000miles in Country Walking, and was inspired by the stories of other readers.

I’ve since lost 10 stone and my mental health has never been better. I know life will still have challenges, but I feel a lot better prepared than I ever did before. I had another operation, where the team at the hospital said they were so pleased with my fitness results. That’s a big thank you to Country Walking and the readers who inspired me.

When I have lows I look at articles in back issues of Country Walking and never feel I’m on this journey alone. #walk1000miles has inspired me beyond words. I can’t praise it enough. Being a member of the community is fantastic and I can’t ever see myself not being part of it now. I’d advise anyone in a similar situation to check out articles, believe in yourself and go for it. Just take small steps and you’ll amaze yourself at how far you progress.