The Heart Foundation and Moreton Bay Regional Council are inviting the community to take part in the first-ever Heart Foundation walking group at the Caboolture Region Environmental Education Centre (CREEC), Burpengary.
Division 12 Councillor Adrian Raedel invited residents, local community groups and businesses to help launch the Burpengary group and join in the inaugural walk at 8am, on June 28 with walk organiser Julie Simpson.
“If you’ve been looking for a free and fun way to get outdoors, keep fit and meet new people, then this is the event for you,” Cr Raedel said.
The group was established after council sought expressions of interest earlier in the year for a new walking group in the region.
“CREEC is home to some beautiful greenspace and walking trails, and when Julie approached council to create a walking group right here, we jumped at the chance.
The walk is expected to take 30 to 45 minutes and includes some uneven surfaces.
“Walking groups have been a huge success in Moreton Bay, with a number of groups now entering their 10th year and many participants making friends for life. I encourage everyone to get on board this new group and help make it a success too.”
The new CREEC Burpengary walking group will continue to meet every Thursday at 8am.
Heart Foundation Walking State Coordinator, Anna Campbell said that being active is one of the most important ways people can improve their health and wellbeing, but approximately two million Queenslanders or 59% aged 18 years and over, are not active enough, missing out on the health benefits of being active.
The Heart Foundation’s chief medical adviser, cardiologist Professor Garry Jennings, said, walking improved risk factors for heart disease such as high blood pressure and diabetes.
“What’s good for your heart is also good for your brain - walking helps stave off the decline in memory, planning and thinking skills that can occur with ageing, and reduces the risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Even cancer rates are lower in people who are physically active,” Mr Jennings said.
“Physical inactivity increases the risk of cancer, heart disease and stroke by up to 30 per cent and shortens lifespan by up to five years. However simply walking for an average of 30 minutes a day can lower the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes by a third and illnesses such as dementia, by as much as 50 per cent.”
For more information head to council’s website https://www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/healthy-active/walking-running/ or phone the Heart Foundation on 131 112.