Crossgar ladies walking group keeps spring in their steps as autumn draws in

A local women’s walking group has been able to safely continue their adventures into the darker months thanks to a donation by EUROSPAR Crossgar.

Set up by community group Crossgar Life as lockdown eased in May this year, 30 women have been gathering each week to pound the pavements and take in the beautiful scenery in the local area, an initiative which has helped keep them social and active through tough times.

The Group has given participants the opportunity to get that vital social interaction that was lost during lockdown, but in a safe and creative way. Now that the darker nights have come in, they have been given a donation of high visibility vests from local retailer, EUROSPAR Crossgar, enabling them to continue their programme into the autumn/winter months.

Crossgar Life said the walking group has become so special to all involved; “So many women in the local area expressed an interest to meet each other and get active after the lockdowns were lifted, and with the help of Walking for Health, an initiative from the local health trust, we have been able to set up a six week programme, which comprises of five weeks of walking and one week where we all take part in a social activity.

“We are now on our third set of walks since May 2021, and were worried about numbers dropping due to the darker nights. Thankfully, EUROSPAR Crossgar has donated these fabulous vests which will make sure we’re visible on our routes, but also gives us a sense of a team now that we have our own kit to wear!”

Nicola Tate, Store Manager of EUROSPAR Crossgar added; “The walking group has become an essential part of these local women’s lives. They’ve made great friends and have all benefitted from it in some way, whether it be improved mood and reduced feelings of stress, or to gain fitness. We are very proud to support this important local initiative and hope they gain more walkers as the weeks go by.”

The group gathered at the store recently to receive their vests from Nicola, who also distributed Barista Bar coffee vouchers to keep them warm on that night’s walk.

Nicola added; “It was lovely to meet the whole group and fuel them up with some coffees from Barista Bar for their walk. It was a bit of a rainy night so the hot drinks definitely put a spring in their steps!”