Patients from the Royal Alexandra Hospital put their best foot forward recently in their quest for fitness.

The special walking event was organised by Have a Heart Paisley's 'Health at Heart Centre' staff and Renfrewshire Council's Walking Development Officer to help current patients of the cardiac rehabilitation service get active.

Over 40 people took part in the walk, which took place at Castle Semple, Lochwinnoch. Walk leaders from Renfrewshire Council's

Paths to Health team and a specialist Ranger from Muirshiel Country Park led the walks, ensuring that all members of the group were able to walk within their own ability.

"We decided to organise a walking event as part of the patients rehabilitation programme because it's an excellent way to keep active," said Mhairi Campbell, Cardiac Rehabilitation Co-ordinator at the Health at Heart Centre. "At the Centre, exercise is a large part of a patients' recovery process and we wanted to show patients other ways of remaining active outside of the classes. Walking is something that everyone can get involved in, regardless of age and ability."

The group received a free bus service from Arriva Scotland West who provided the transport to take them from the Royal Alexandra Hospital to the starting point at Lochwinnoch.

Claire Mundy, Exercise Co-ordinator at the Health at Heart Centre said, "We were delighted to receive the free bus provision from Arriva and the group thoroughly enjoyed the walk. There are a number of weekly walks available through Renfrewshire Council's Feeling Fitter programme and by introducing clients to the kind of walks that are available, we hope to encourage them to take part on a regular basis."

For more information on walking groups available in Renfrewshire, contact Senga McLeod, Walking Development Officer on 840 3861.

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