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“Walking saved my life:” Powerful portraits inspire Scots to step forward to help themselves and the planet

© Rachel HolmesNew portraits by Rachel Holmes show the power of walking for humans and for the planet.
New portraits by Rachel Holmes show the power of walking for humans and for the planet.

Inspiring stories of Scots who champion the joy of everyday walking have been featured in an online exhibition launched to coincide with COP26 in Glasgow.

Scotland’s walking charity, Paths for All, is sharing stories from people who’ve experienced life-changing benefits of walking.

The gallery of portraits, entitled Humans of the Walk, showcases the immense impact everyday walking can have on our health, wellbeing and the environment.

Nine individual stories have been captured by photographer Rebecca Holmes and her team in locations across Scotland.

58-year-old and former Head of BBC Radio Scotland, Jeff Zycinski, has been featured in the exhibition after sharing his inspirational story of how walking saved his life on two separate occasions.

He said: “Walking has completely changed my life. I was suffering from various health issues and went to the doctors for advice, it was recommended I take up walking and I’ve never looked back.

“When I began walking I lost a lot of weight and improved my general wellbeing, and so I credit walking for saving my life.”

Jeff has discovered the power of walking and says it saved his life. (Pic: Rebecca Holmes).

A few years later Zycinski was diagnosed with mouth cancer, and after an intense recovery period, found himself being discharged from hospital in the middle of a pandemic, with reduced speech ability.

“I was determined not to let this hamper my quality of life, and so I used walking to practise exercises given to me by an NHS therapist,” he said.

“Many of these involved the kind of tongue twisters we used to have fun with as kids.

“The outdoors can help to unwind, forget worries and for me, I can think more creatively to solve problems.

“Since my initial health issues, I’ve become a walking advocate and would encourage people to think about taking it up.

“Even if you decide to actively travel a short journey instead of taking the car, it all adds up!”

The images hope to bring to life individual stories of overcoming challenges, connecting to the natural world and feeling our best.

While the physical and mental benefits of walking are apparent, the environmental impact of leaving the car at home are also a great step towards reducing our carbon footprint, with car journeys responsible for 39% of transport emissions.

Kevin Lafferty, Chief Executive Officer at Paths for All, said: “We can all ‘do our bit’ for climate change by walking or wheeling more often to reduce our carbon footprint.

“It isn’t a chore, the stories here highlight the physical and mental health benefits, and enjoyment people get from walking.

“As COP26 is taking place in Glasgow we want walking to be recognised for what it is – a planet-saving, health-improving force, free and accessible to everyone.

“The ‘Humans of the Walk’ gallery highlights how important nature is to our wellbeing and how we can all play our part in protecting the environments we love.

By just walking we can reduce noise pollution, air pollution, and emissions all whilst improving our quality of life.”


www.pathsforall.org.uk/