Stomping many miles across East Lancashire and every possible inch of of his home town, volunteer Ted Pemberton has walked his way into winning a well-deserved award.
Mr Pemberton was handed the Active Burnley Award for his Contribution to Active Communities at an awards ceremony organised by Burnley Leisure and Culture Services.
During the ceremony, at the Burnley Mechanics Theatre last week, the 87-year-old, who was nominated anonymously for the countless voluntary led walks he has organised over his 17 years as an active walker, was awarded for his dedicated service to the region.
Through his love of walking, he became a Newground Together Active Together volunteer walk organiser and has provided many local people with the opportunity to get out and explore the beautiful Lancashire countryside, benefitting their mental and physical health.
Winning the award for Burnley means that Mr Pemberton will also be nominated for the Active Lancashire awards later on in the year.
On winning the award Mr Pemberton said: “I am very pleased to have won this award.
"The walks give lots of people the opportunity to improve their fitness and socialise, particularly for those that would not go out and walk by themselves.
"Our walks are less about getting from A to B and more about noticing the changing of the seasons and listening to the sounds around us.”
Mr Pemberton has planned and changed routes along with the help of other walk leaders and walkers to make it more accessible, giving people the option of a slightly shorter and more leisurely-paced path to follow.
As well as the regular weekly walks, he has also planned and led walks further afield with trips to the Yorkshire Dales, Castle Howard and Shibden Hall.
Mr Pemberton is one of 22 volunteer walk leaders who lead regular weekly walks across East Lancashire.
The Active Together project aims to support people getting active in the outdoors, through walking, cycling and other activities that benefit both mental and physical health and wellbeing.
Active lifestyles project officer at Newground Together, the charitable arm of Together Housing Group, Jayne Ashe, said: “Not only me but everyone that knows Ted are delighted that he has won, it’s well deserved and recognises the contribution he makes to the physical and mental wellbeing of many people in our community.
"Over Covid, Ted moved the walks to virtual ones and over the two years, and as a personal challenge, he virtually walked across the Sahara Desert – an amazing distance of 3,100 miles.
"Ted has shown no matter what your age or physical levels walking is a great way to get and stay active.”
The Active Burnley Awards was a showcase of the wonderful sporting achievement and volunteer effort in the district and supports local people to enjoy being active.
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