by Martin Jefferies

Radio presenter Johnny Lewis discovered a great way to get fit,
meet friends, lose weight and have fun when he joined one of 11
popular East Kent HealthWalks.

He put his best foot forward at the Montefiore Medical Centre,
Dumpton Park Drive, Ramsgate, on Thursday to tread a short but
scenic route along the Thanet coastline.

The kmfm breakfast DJ was joined by a host of local people who have already felt the benefits of local HealthWalks - volunteer-led hikes which generally last for between 40 and 90 minutes and leave from accessible venues such as libraries and leisure centres.

He said: "It was quite a cold day but we'd all wrapped up warm
and were having such a great time taking in some of our magnificent
coastline that we barely noticed.

"We walked and talked, made new friends and strolled along at a
leisurely pace; it was a really enjoyable hour or so."

Johnny, who is fronting Kent County Council's Walk to Win
fitness campaign for the Thanet Extra and kmfm, added: "HealthWalks
are a great form of gentle exercise which, on a regular basis, is
the key to a healthier lifestyle. It's amazing how much your
fitness can improve if you exercise little and often."

East Kent HealthWalks are free of charge and there is no need to
book - just turn up on the day. Most walks also finish with
refreshments and a chance to socialise with others.

The scheme is supported by NHS Eastern and Coastal Kent and
walkers are given a 'passport' which can be used to record their
progress.

Walks take place throughout the week in Margate, Cliftonville,
Birchington, St Peter's, Ramsgate, Pegwell and Minster (see
below).

For more information, visit www.kent.gov.uk/explorekent and follow the links to 'Walking', then 'Walk to Win' and finally 'East Kent HealthWalks'. The website also contains information about how to plan your own walk, as well as an interactive map to plot out routes and details about guided walks.

Where to walk:

• St Gregory’s Catholic Primary School, Manston Road, Margate - Tuesdays at 9.00am - for details, call 07737 158320
• St Peter’s Church Hall, Hopeville Avenue, St Peter’s - Tuesdays at 9.15 am - for details, call 01843 865498
• Six Bells Children’s Centre, 201 High Street, Margate - Tuesdays at 9.30am - for details, call 01843 254500
• Birchington Library, Alpha Road, Birchington - Tuesdays at 10.15am - for details, call 01843 841883
• Holy Trinity and St John’s CE Primary School, St John’s Road, Margate - Wednesdays at 9.15am - for details, call 07845 979024
• Garlinge Primary School, Westfield Road, Margate - Thursdays at 9.00am - for details, call 01843 221877
• Salmestone Primary School, College Road, Margate - Thursdays at 9.00am - for details, call 0800 8494000
• Minster CE Primary School, Molineux Road, Minster - Thursdays at 9.00am - for details, call 07824 991987
• Opposite The Wheatsheaf Pub, Northdown Park Road, Cliftonville - Thursdays at 10.30 am - for details, call 0800 8494000
• East Cliff Practice, Montefiore Medical Centre, Dumpton Park Drive, Ramsgate - Thursdays at 1.45 pm - for details, call 0800 8494000
• Chilton Tavern, 187 Pegwell Road, Pegwell - Sundays at 11.15 am - for details, call 0800 8494000