Two North Ayrshire women have won prestigious awards for their efforts in improving the health of many in their local community through walking.

The duo triumphed at the Paths for All Volunteer Awards 2020 winning two impressive awards.

Kasia Smith has been named Step Count Champion of the Year and Helen Campbell was named Project Co-ordinator of the Year.

Regeneration Officer Kasia, motivated her team to reach their overall target of 30,000 steps a day in Paths for All’s national step count challenge.

Kasia said: “It was a total surprise to win this award as my walking buddies kept the nomination of me a secret.

“It was amazing to win a workplace challenge as a team, but I never expected to win individually as well!”

A Health and Fitness Officer at KA Leisure, Helen, went to great lengths to support walk leaders and walkers during lockdown.

She said: “I’ve been with KA Leisure for a long time, so when the opportunity arose to get involved as a project coordinator, I had to take it.

“It was a bit of a surprise actually to find out I’d won this award, everyone in the group was really chuffed for me when they found out.

“I’ve had lots of lovely cards and flowers; it’s been really nice.”

The North Ayrshire duo were commended at the first ever Paths for All virtual awards ceremony, hosted by BBC’s Scotland’s Fiona Stalker on November 4.

Kasia and Helen were among 13 different winners at the 11th annual volunteer’s awards.

Joe FitzPatrick, Minister for Public Health, Sport and Wellbeing, said: “It has been truly inspiring to learn about the work the volunteers have done in their local communities.

“They have made walking a bigger part of daily life and helped incite important behavioural change.”

To find out more about which health walks you can join in North Ayrshire, visit: https://www.pathsforall.org.uk/health-walks Have you got a story you would like to see covered in the Ardrossan Herald.

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