SURPRISE, GUYS
Sanjeev takes a hike with winners
WHEN Asian hiking group Boots & Beards went for a walk in the woods the last person they expected to see was Still Game’s Sanjeev Kohli.
Charity founders Kash Butt, Naveed Bakhsh, and Zain Sehgal nearly jumped out of their skins when the actor and comedian emerged from behind a bush in Glasgow’s Pollok Country Park.
Their faces were a picture when he pulled a pair of boots and a Punjabi picnic out of his rucksack and asked if he could join them all on their ramble.
The trio looked even more shocked when he reached deeper into his bag and pulled out an invite which told them Boots & Beards had won a Pride of Scotland Special Recognition Award.
Over the past six years the unique hiking group have helped 6000 people from Glasgow’s Asian community discover freedom, fitness, friendship and mental wellbeing in the Scottish hills.
Kash, 43, said: “It was a sunny Saturday and we had organised a wee ramble through Pollok Park. We were wandering along and chatting away when all of a sudden Sanjeev appeared.
“We were all taken aback and were even more shocked when he started talking to me and seemed to know my name. I had no idea what was going on.
“He asked if he could come with us on our walk because he already had the beard and then he pulled a pair of boots out of his rucksack.”
He added: “He then handed me a gold envelope which I opened to discover an invite to the Pride of Scotland Awards as Boots & Beards had won a Special Recognition Award. It was a lovely surprise. We are all big fans of Naveed so it was extra special receiving the news from Sanjeev.”
Radio and TV star Sanjeev said: “I think what the group are doing is beyond marvellous. Asians don’t do the outdoors. They think they melt in the rain.
“In many ways they have achieved the impossible in getting our community outdoors and into the hills. They are making a huge mental and physical difference to people’s lives. Due to our love of food culture, Asians are very prone to developing diabetes so their group can actually save lives.”
Boots & Beards was founded six years ago after Kash fell severely ill. As part of his recovery, he decided to take up hiking to get fit. Family and friends were inspired by his Facebook pictures to join him, and he soon realised the walks could have a wider impact.
Kash, a pharmacy manager, said: “Nature doesn’t recognise colour – it is there for everyone.
“Also, there’s a lot of stigma about mental health in our community. It doesn’t get talked about, especially among males .” Zain added: “When we started the group, men were opening up.
“They were with people their age and could share any issues they had with people they were comfortable talking to.”
The Daily Record Pride of Scotland Awards with TSB, will broadcast on STV on Tuesday, July 19, at 8pm