'I get a buzz when I see everyone smiling' Blackpool Hike and Heal group reaches out to thousands
Two thousand people sign up to Blackpool Hike and Heal group.
More than two thousand people have joined a hiking and walking group aimed to help people with day to day struggles, mental health and wellbeing.
Blackpool man Michael Whittaker set up Hike and Heal in a bid to get people out and about, particularly in nature.
Walks and adventure days are planned up until the end of July and there’s a focus on ticking off some of the Lake District’s 214 Wainwright mountains.
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Michael said: “Every walk we have between 40 and 60 attend and still growing on every walk.
“The next walk is Sunday May 3 at Stanage Edge and Bamford Edge circular - it’s around ten miles. Currently there are 61 people coming.
“When I set it up, I thought it would be a small group.
“But after a couple of months there were 600 members and now it’s 2.2k.
“It is overwhelming and the buzz I get when I see everyone smiling before, mid walk and after the walk is amazing.
”The feedback I get is unbelievable.
“Together we climb together we heal together we grow, we don’t just walk miles we heal minds.”
If you would like to join, visit Hike and Heal on Facebook