15 October 2009
START SUMMER ON THE RIGHT FOOT WITH HEART
FOUNDATION WALKING DAY – SUNDAY 1 NOVEMBER
Start summer on the right foot by gathering your friends and family together and going
for a walk to mark Heart Foundation Walking Day on Sunday 1 November.
Heart Foundation Walking Day aims to raise awareness of the benefits of building 30
minutes of walking into your daily routine.
“Walking on a regular basis can help to reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke
while reducing body fat, blood pressure and cholesterol,” said Tony Thirlwell, Heart
Foundation CEO – NSW.
“People who enjoy regular physical activity live longer, feel more energetic, have
stronger bones and muscles, feel more confident, happy, relaxed and are able to
sleep better,” Mr Thirlwell added.
Joining a Heart Foundation Walking group is an ideal way to make friends, keep
motivated and walk regularly.
Heart Foundation Walking is Australia’s largest network of free community-based
walking groups with more than 10,000 walkers. To find a group near you, visit
The Heart Foundation recommends that adults participate in physical activity, like
brisk walking, for at least 30 minutes a day, on most, preferably all days of the week.
But it’s ok to start with three 10 minute walks and build up to longer sessions.
Everyone can build more walking into their day by taking public transport instead of
the car; walking to the local shops; choosing the furthest not the closest parking spot;
or taking the stairs at work instead of using the lift.
ENDS
Media Contact
Kerry Kalcher: 02 9219 2433 / 0401 672 128 or kerry.kalcher@heartfoundation.org.au
About the Heart Foundation:
This year the Heart Foundation marks its 50th anniversary as Australia’s leading voice on heart
health. The Heart Foundation saves lives and improves health through funding world-class
cardiovascular research, guidelines for health professionals, informing the public and assisting
people with cardiovascular disease.
While the work over the past five decades has helped reduce the number of deaths,
cardiovascular disease (heart, stroke and blood vessel disease) remains one of Australia’s
most devastating health problems. As a charity, the Heart Foundation relies on donations and
gifts in Wills to continue its lifesaving research, education and health promotion work. For
NEWS 
