When it comes to helping a community member in need, Nerida Thompson sure knows how to walk the walk.
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Nerida is walk leader of Brighton Walkers and this year's Queensland winner of the Heart Foundation's Golden Shoe award.
The annual award is given to walk organisers in each state and territory for their efforts to support new and seasoned walkers in the name of heart health.
Nerida joined the group about five years ago.
"I'd just retired and I needed to make myself get up in the morning and walk," she said.
The group only had a few members at the time, but has since blossomed into something much larger. Nerida said about 12-20 members join the group for each walk, which takes place weekly on Wednesdays.
The group has also become a "support group" which members enjoy for the social connections it provides.
Some members walk dogs, and members who can no longer walk are welcome to accompany the group in wheelchairs or mobility scooters.
Members who are too old to or do not want to walk the full distance can stop at a range of stop off points, with members meeting them again on the way back.
Nerida said the group is a vital source of social connection for a number of members, so the group makes sure to meet every week, irrespective of weather.
"If it's a rainy day... (and) it's not really heavy rain, we still walk because we don't melt, we just use umbrellas. But if it's really heavy, we just meet in a coffee shop," she said.
The group is also incredibly diverse in terms of age, with members ranging from their 40s to 90s.
"One of our ladies told me she feels as though the group has kept her younger because of all the different ages."
The group has evolved into much more than just a walking group, often going the extra mile for members, depending on their needs.
"One of our members had to hand in her drivers licence, and we also had a couple of members who came from overseas and weren't used to using public transport.
"We thought why don't we get out as a group and use public transport? So we got on a bus, got on a train and went out to the Botanic Gardens and then we got the train back."
The group also holds barbecues for special occasions like Christmas and Christmas in July, and is looking at establishing sub groups based on other activities such as walking football and brain training exercises.
"We have a great team of people. I just come up with these crazy ideas and the group makes them work," she said.
All Golden Shoe Award winners received a special golden shoe pin, a certificate and a $250 VISA gift card.
To find a local walking group close to you, including Brighton Walkers, click here.
