A DEDICATED walker has been given an award by Hartlepool Borough Council after notching up an impressive 1,000 hours as a volunteer walk leader.

Dave Scott,73, of Hartlepool, volunteered for the council’s Walk About In Hartlepool programme when it began in 2011 and since then has led hundreds of walks around the borough, introducing people to walking for fitness and pleasure.

To mark his milestone, Mr Scott was presented with a Hartlepool Council Volunteer Award by Louise Wallace, the Council’s Director of Public Health, at Summerhill country park, where some of his walks take place.

She said: “Congratulations to Dave on this outstanding achievement. Without volunteers like him we would not be able to provide programmes like Walk About In Hartlepool.

“The benefits of walking in a group are well proven, not just in terms of improving your fitness but also the social aspects too. Dave is an excellent ambassador for this and it’s no surprise that his walks are so popular, we need more people like him.”

Mr Scott added: “I had never previously thought of volunteering, but once you get into it it gives you a real boost and a sense of achievement – you are helping other people and by getting out and about you are helping yourself as well.

“I really enjoy it – the Council’s Sport and Recreation Team is very friendly and I meet lots of nice people. If you haven’t considered volunteering before, I would certainly recommend it.”

For more information about the walks programme, including the full timetable, search for ‘Walk About In Hartlepool’ on the Council’s homepage at www.hartlepool.gov.uk

To find out more about volunteering, contact Sport & Physical Activity Officer Rachael Graham on 01429 284052 or email rachael.graham@hartlepool.gov.uk