Group asked to fork out for health-giving exercise

THE best things in life are free, like a walk on Hampstead Heath – but not for one group of fitness lovers.
Many of them were told by their GPs they would benefit from joining an organised walk each Monday morning, but Camden Council, which funds the project, is now asking for a £1 contribution each time the walkers take a stroll on the Heath.
They must also possess a Camden Leisure Card, which costs between £5.50 and £50 depending on circumstances, pushing the cost of a little weekly exercise up to £100 a year.
Walker Anne Johnson said: “The cost of these walks is tiny in terms of the council’s budget.”
The group’s oldest member, 90-year-old William Badger, was recommended by his doctor to take part in the walk following a hip replacement operation. He said: “While I’m walking my hip doesn’t bother me.”
Another participant, Clare McDonald, attributes her quick return to work following illness to her joining the group.
She said: “It’s done me the world of good, but I wouldn’t even have thought of coming along if it was going to cost me £100 a year. I feel sad that other people are now going to be put off.”
Some of the walkers are now considering arranging informal walking groups of their own.
The council says that, as the walk is led by a health officer – in this case elderly health expert Martin Thompson – it incurs the same costs as tai chi groups and dance classes for the elderly that take place in gyms and community halls.
A Camden press official said that, although the council received the same amount of external funding this year for its activity programme for the elderly, the cash was being spread across more activities. As a result, users would now have to pay.
The official said a recent survey showed that 83 per cent of users were happy with the charges being introduced.
She added: “If these walks are encouraging people to organise their own schemes, then that’s great. The point of the programme is to encourage people to take exercise.”