Walking month ramps up

Walking campaigns across England are filling May calendars with free local events, as councils and charities push short, regular walks as an easy habit. (herefordshire.gov.uk) In Herefordshire and Worcestershire, the “Walk This May Challenge” runs from Friday, May 1, to Thursday, May 14, with free walks lasting from 10 to 90 minutes. Organisers said routes are on easy ground, set at a relaxed pace, and aimed at all ages and abilities. (worcestershire.gov.uk) The challenge is being led by Active Herefordshire and Worcestershire with Herefordshire Council and Worcestershire County Council. Herefordshire Council said walkers across the two counties covered 4,723.18 miles in last year’s event. (activehw.co.uk) Other groups are using walks for community fundraising and visibility as April turns into May. In County Durham, about 200 people joined the 15th Walk for Autism Acceptance at Chester-le-Street Riverside Park, organised by the North East Autism Society. (thenorthernecho.co.uk) The North East Autism Society tied the event to World Autism Acceptance Month and to fundraising for New Warlands Farm, a County Durham project the charity says could provide up to 70 placements a year. Chief executive John Phillipson, who retires next month after more than 20 years in the role, said the walk showed the charity’s support network in action. (ne-as.org.uk) The timing lines up with National Walking Month, which Living Streets marks every May. The charity’s 2026 campaign is urging women to “walk out” or wheel each day in May for health, wellbeing and enjoyment. (livingstreets.org.uk) Public health bodies have been pushing the same message for years: walking is cheap, low-barrier exercise that can fit into daily routines. The National Health Service says a brisk 10-minute daily walk brings health benefits and counts toward the 150 minutes of weekly activity recommended for adults. (nhs.uk) Local organisers are leaning on that simplicity. Worcestershire County Council quoted director of public health Dr Lisa McNally saying walking is “a small habit with a big impact,” while Herefordshire public health director Zoe Clifford said last year’s turnout showed what communities can do together. (cotswoldjournal.co.uk) For now, the pitch is straightforward: show up, take a short route, and make walking social enough to repeat next week. In places from Worcester to Chester-le-Street, that is turning a public health message into a local event people actually attend. (malverngazette.co.uk)