Template Press release
The Ramblers Festival of Winter Walks:
Over 25 years of wintery walks for all
For over 25 years, through snow, sleet, rain and under clear winter skies; in parks, forests and on mountain tops, the footsteps of thousands have dotted the countryside each year as family, friends and avid walkers step out to enjoy the Ramblers’ Festival of Winter Walks. This year the Ramblers is providing wintery walks for all to enjoy with two weeks of free festive wanders led by our volunteers from 21 December 2013 – 5 January 2014.
Walking for Health – run by Ramblers and Macmillan Cancer Support - will also be participating in the festival by offering short walks for those new to walking, or those who would like to get started with the help of supportive and friendly volunteers.
So if you would like a way to burn off the mince pies or are looking to kick start those New Year’s Resolutions and take your first steps to a healthier lifestyle join <Insert name of Walking for Health scheme/group> on a Winter Walk.
The following <Insert name of Walking for Health scheme/group> Winter Walks are taking place locally:
ADD DETAILS OF YOUR LOCAL WALK(S) HERE – INCLUDING DATE, MEETING POINT, START TIME, LENGTH OF WALK AND A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ROUTE.
Ramblers chief executive Benedict Southworth said: “There is something wonderful about walking over the festive season; the company of family and friends, exploring beautiful winter landscapes under clear skies or the fun of being the first to make tracks in the snow, all of these things make getting out and about at this time of year even more of an adventure.
“Our Festival of Winter Walks is as popular as ever after 25 years. So, put on your winter coats, wrap up warm and join us again as we head out to enjoy the season the way we know best, on our feet.”
XXX from XXX Walking for Health said: “<Insert quote>”
This year for the first time ever you can also download one of our expert walking routes from Ramblers Routes to try on your own or with friends and family this winter, visit www.ramblers.org.uk/ramblersroutes for info.
For more information on the Festival of Winter Walks and to browse the festive walks on offer visit www.ramblers.org.uk/winterwalks.
To become a member of the Ramblers visit www.ramblers.org.uk/join.
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For more information contact <YOUR NAME AND NUMBER> , visit www.ramblers.org.uk/winterwalks or call the Ramblers press office 0207 339 8531 or 07584 848083 (out of hours) .
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Notes to editors:
· Walking for Health is England’s largest network of health walk schemes, offering free short walks across the country to help people lead a more active lifestyle. They’ve done this with great success for over 10 years, and in this time improved the lives of thousands of people. Now the Ramblers and Macmillan Cancer Support are working together to ensure Walking for Health gets even more people active and healthy in the years to come.
· The Ramblers is at the heart of walking in Britain; working to promote walking and protect the places where people walk.It is Britain’s walking charity. It works to make it easy for everyone to walk, whether in countryside, cities, hills, coasts and on or off the beaten track. It has a grass roots network of over 18,000 volunteers who work tirelessly for a walking Britain. For over 75 years it has helped build and protect Britain’s 140,000 mile long path network, it runs over 38,000 walks a year, and campaigns for better walking routes and more walking opportunities
· About Macmillan Cancer Support: More than one in three of us will get cancer. For most of us it will be the toughest fight we ever face. And the feelings of isolation and loneliness that so many people experience make it even harder. But you don’t have to go through it alone. The Macmillan team is with you every step of the way. We are the nurses and therapists helping you through treatment. The experts on the end of the phone. The advisers telling you which benefits you’re entitled to. The volunteers giving you a hand with the everyday things. The campaigners improving cancer care. The community there for you online, any time. The supporters who make it all possible. Together, we are all Macmillan Cancer Support