Active April Walking Challenge

Published on 31 January 2020

West Wimmera organisations will host a range of activities this April, providing new opportunities for residents to get moving.

West Wimmera Shire Council is partnering with Edenhope and District Memorial Hospital to improve the fitness of shire residents throughout April.

The Active April Walking Challenge will provide opportunities for shire residents to walk together every day for the month. Three walking times will be on offer each day to try to cater to everyone. These times will be 6.30am, 9am and 5.45pm.

Anyone wishing to walk at the allocate times will meet in a pre-determined location and walk together.

This is a great way to improve fitness, get out and about and meet new people. Walking with others also helps those who aren’t confident exercising alone.

However, the Active April Walking Challenge is also looking for people to help lead the way. The initiative requires at least one person at each walking time to be the leader of that group.

These people don’t have to be experienced walkers themselves, but rather someone who is reliable and happy to look out for others.

Having walking leaders who are locked in for each time ensures that there will always be someone there to walk with.

The Active April Walking Challenge will kick off on Wednesday, April 1. It is open to all ages and all abilities – only walk as far as you are able to.

Active April is free, fun and part of the state government’s commitment to get more people active and healthy.

It aims to address increasing rates of obesity, unhealthy eating habits and physical inactivity by providing a series of incentives, opportunities and support to participants to build positive habits that increase the level of activity in their daily life.

As part of Active April, West Wimmera Shire Council is also looking for people interested in starting a parkrun in their town.

Parkrun volunteers organise free, weekly, 5km timed runs in their area. The runs are open to everyone, free, and are safe and easy to take part in.

These events take place in pleasant parkland surroundings and are open to people of every ability to take part; from walkers or those taking their first steps in running to Olympians; from juniors to those with more experience; we welcome you all.

Anyone willing to sign up as a walking leader should contact Edenhope and District Memorial Hospital community health nurse Cath McDonald or West Wimmera Shire Council community support officer Amanda Munn.

Anyone wanting to organise a parkrun in their town should contact West Wimmera Shire Council community support officer Amanda Munn.