More than 50 older people Nordic Walk across Cardiff Bay to celebrate Age Positive Week

Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism Lord Elis-Thomas leads the walks

More than 50 older people from Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan undertook Nordic Walks across Cardiff Bay this week. The walks, a two miler and a five miler for the more experienced walkers, were organised by Age Cymru's Nordic-Walking volunteers to help celebrate the charity's Age Positive Week.

Nordic Walking has long been an important activity for Age Cymru as not only does it improve older people's fitness, core strength and balance but it also provides wonderful opportunities to develop new friendships as walkers often socialise with one another following a walk.

Age Cymru's Physical Activities Co-ordinator, Amy Lloyd says "Nordic Walking is one of Europe's fastest growing forms of physical activity and is a great way of staying healthy.

"Using a pair of specially designed, lightweight poles, Nordic Walking provides a number of benefits above that of normal walking. It exercises 90% of your muscles and increases the strength in your legs, arms, shoulders, chest and back and thereby improves balance and helps prevents falls."

Addressing the audience at the start of the walk, Lord Elis-Thomas congratulated the walkers for being active and doing something to help maintain their health. Drawing on information from the National Survey for Wales he said that inactivity was highest among older adults (aged 75 or over) and those who were materially deprived.

For more information about Age Cymru's Nordic Walking programmes contact the charity's Physical Activities Team on 029 2043 1555.

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Notes to editors

Picture1 shows Lord Elis Thomas with Age Cymru's Physical Activities Co-ordinator Amy Lloyd

Picture 2 shows the Nordic Walkers leaving Cardiff Bay for the Barrage to Penarth

Age Cymru

Age Cymru is the national charity for older people in WalesWe are the force combining Age Concern Cymru and Help the Aged in WalesWe work with local Age Cymru Partners across Wales to improve life for older peopleAge Cymru is a registered charity 1128436

5. Company limited by guarantee and registered by in England and Wales 6837284

6. Age Cymru is funded by donations from the public, corporate partners, our trading enterprises and the Welsh Government