WALX Preston led by Matt Gibbs (front in grey)
But a walking group in Preston is doing what it can to ease the physical and mental effects of Covid.
WALX Preston, led by Matt Gibbs, is dedicated to getting people moving in local green spaces so they can feel more comfortable playing sports again. Crucially, the motivation behind the group isn’t just sport – as Matt says, WALX is about hanging out with friends and having a good time. Fitness is just a happy by-product.
Two people who have reaped the rewards of joining are Steph Ashton and Chandrika Hirani.
Register to our daily newsletter
The i-Newsletter cut through the noise
Steph (left) and a WALX team
Steph (left) and a WALX teamBefore she got into it, Chandrika struggled with depression after staying indoors for two years. As she began to feel isolated and lacking in confidence, she and her husband, Praxy, began looking for local walking groups and came across WALX Preston. She braced herself to go and was greeted by an immensely welcoming and friendly crowd.
“I kept telling myself I had to get out of there,” says Chandrika. “I knew I had to make the first move [and] I’m so glad I did because it was wonderful. I’ve never met such lovely people and I’ve never been out in nature so much. I loved it so much I was determined to book as many hikes as possible to make sure I stick it out.
“I met Di, one of the leaders of the group hike, and it was amazing,” she adds. “She had so much energy and was an inspiration – when I got home Praxy actually said, ‘What happened to you, you’re like a different person.’ I felt like I made a new friend with every walk, that’s actually what happened.
“I’ve gone from being an unfit asthmatic who struggled to walk a mile to someone who’s not out of breath and can even tackle hills with the support of the group,” continues Chandrika. “It literally changed my life! Walking is like a drug: I’m actually addicted to it and it makes me happier than I have in a long time.”
Chandrika (left) and her husband Praxy on a WALX hike
Chandrika (left) and her husband Praxy on a WALX hikeSteph suffered from Covid for a long time before joining WALX. Although previously fairly fit, she was now struggling to breathe so she came to WALX to help improve the situation and quickly became a regular hiker. She has now boarded Blencathra and even left her job to be part of the team that helped her transform so dramatically.
“I didn’t have outdoor shoes, a suitable coat and wouldn’t have thought to venture off the sidewalks to explore further – two miles would seem like a really long walk even before I contracted Covid to be honest says Stephen. “I went from panting when I even tried to attempt a slight incline to running 27 miles straight and climbing a mountain with the support of the group.
“It was amazing,” she adds, attributing her success to the group’s welcoming nature. “They are a bunch of great people who want to support and encourage each other. I have never felt part of something so positive, value-free, inclusive and rewarding.”
Steph, who has lost a stone since joining, also says she’s made friends, discovered her love for hiking and improved her mental and physical health over the past year. But another big thing she’s noticed is her improved confidence and reduced anxiety – a point reiterated by Chandrika.
Whether it’s helping people with physical or mental ailments, WALX Preston changes lives and for Matt – who has been with the group for seven years – that’s been the name of the game all along.
For more information please contact Matt on 07530 813 225 or email [email protected]
