The Stockland Walkers: Using their feet to lend a hand in the fight against heart disease

For 14 years, the Stockland Walkers have convened at the Stockland Townsville shopping centre for a walk.  The group know too well the importance of being active and its impact on physical, mental, and emotional health, and it motivates them to turn up bright eyed (or bleary eyed) at 6.45am, three mornings a week.  Leigh Winsor has been a Walk Organiser of the group for over five years but has been walking with the group since 2016.  Over 320 people have increased their steps with the group, with 181 people still registered, ‘but only 86 are regular walkers’ according to Leigh.  We think that’s a pretty good number!  In fact, 15 of the Stockland Walkers have achieved over 1000 walks with the group, with two of those walkers surpassing 1500.

What do you enjoy about your group and Heart Foundation Walking?

We greatly enjoy the supportive companionship of people who share the common goal of the Heart Foundation. We are grateful to the Stockland management for continuing access to the shopping centre. Being able to walk early in the morning on a level floor, in a safe, secure, and air-conditioned shopping centre is greatly appreciated, especially in the hot and humid summer months here in the dry tropics. Most of us stop for coffee and a chat after walking, as socializing is vitally important in maintaining mental health and social connectivity, and these-impact favourably on heart health.

We are incredibly grateful of your group’s generosity. What inspired you to fundraise for the Heart Foundation?

We support the Heart Foundation in attempting to achieve its goal of a heart-disease-free Australia.

We love hearing the creative fundraising ideas that our groups come up with! Tell us about the fundraising activities of your group:

Many members make small regular contributions in our Heart Foundation box. We also have an Easter Hamper raffle. The contents of the hamper mostly donated by our walkers. This year funds were also raised from the sale of sausage rolls generously made and donated by Pamela Eggins, and jams made and donated by Heather Naylor and Pat Johns.

What does it mean to you to be supporting the Heart Foundation?

Personally – my father, aged 38 years, and later my stepfather aged 46 years, both died suddenly of coronary thrombosis while working overseas. I heed the lessons from their premature deaths, as they are stark reminders of possible genetic factors, the risks of smoking, stress, and the ripple effect of distress and hardship arising from the deaths of my loved ones.

Group – Some of our walkers have heart problems or have friends and relatives who have such conditions.

"All of us wish to remain mobile and active physically and mentally as long as possible and are supportive of the Heart Foundation’s goal through walking and donations."