Will you be doing it today?

Today, 24 April 2008, is National Walk to Work Day. Community NI asked a few people earlier this week if they planned to take up the offer to saunter all or part of the journey.

Andrew Dougal, Chest, Heart and Stroke Association, Belfast

Of course I’ll be walking to work on Thursday. I would walk a lot more if I didn’t have to carry a heavy briefcase filled with files. So in future I’ll take fewer files and wear a knapsack on my back to carry them.

Brisk exercise for 30 minutes at least three times per week is making a big contribution to reducing the risk of heart attack and stroke.

Mandy Milligan, administrator of Omagh Forum for Rural Communities

I’ll be driving because it’s two miles to work and we’re not on a bus route at a suitable time. I always go for a walk at lunchtime – I’m not completely lazy!

Conor Murphy, Minister for Regional Development

As Transport Minister, I am committed to promoting walking and do so as part of my routine almost everyday. I am also eager to champion car sharing schemes, cycling, public transport and Park and Ride/Share facilities, which I believe are becoming real and attractive alternatives for people in their daily lives. However, living almost 50 miles from Stormont, it isn't always possible to walk to work.

However I do feel it's important to do what I can, when I can and I would encourage others to do likewise. By pro-actively working to look after our own health through walking or other modes, we are also benefiting our environment.

Where the situation permits, I do walk to appointments in Belfast city centre from DRD HQ or if on the Stormont estate, I will mostly walk to other buildings, including Executive meetings at Stormont Castle. In Newry on my constituency day, I always walk to appointments in and around the city and to be honest really enjoy it.

Margaret Harkin, Employers Forum on Disability, Banbridge

I work part-time and I won’t be working on Thursday but it would be impossible to walk to work – I would need to leave home at 5am to walk to Lurgan and then get a bus to Banbridge and then walk to work. I also have a school run to do.