KA Leisure’s Health and Wellbeing Officer Helen Campbell really has been going the “extra mile” during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Her work organising and supporting Health Walks all over North Ayrshire has been recognised with a top title at the Paths for All Volunteer Awards 2020, where Helen was named Project Coordinator of the Year.

The virtual event celebrated the efforts of 13 individuals and groups across Scotland who have worked to inspire others to walk, lead and coordinate Health Walks.

Helen’s daily job included coordinating the Active Lifestyles Team’s virtual walking programme and providing phone support to volunteer walk leaders and participants. It was during one of those calls that she realised that the volunteer walk leader she was chatting to was particularly unwell.

As a first aid trainer, Helen, from Fairlie, realised that the woman needed immediate medical attention and called an ambulance. She then stayed on the phone offering reassurance, until the ambulance arrived.

In her own time, Helen has continued to provide additional Walk ‘n’ Talk sessions and made extra telephone contact with some of the walk leaders and participants who were most vulnerable, supporting them by picking up prescriptions and shopping.

Fiona Comrie, KA Leisure’s Health and Wellbeing Manager, said: “We are delighted that the team’s work has been recognised through Helen’s award.”