Duncan Barratt - 68 Year Old Retired Architect

A keen sportsman until his 40s Duncan lost his fitness & gained weight due to a busy but sedentary lifestyle. When he retired at 65 he decided to take action but found the gym a bit boring. He joined The Chalfont St Giles 60+ Fitness and Social Club which has 50 active members who enjoy a variety of activities including ‘Simply Walk’.

When members wanted to try some more advanced exercise, a taster session was organised by Nordic Walking UK

Duncan loved it so much he decided to train as an Instructor but as the club is a NOT for PROFIT organisation for the over 60s he needed help with funding for the training and poles. He contacted BUCKS SPORTS and they immediately agreed to fund this under their ‘REACTIVATE’ Programme – This included full CYQ Fitness Instructor training and how to deliver the NWUK community programmes.

He set up classes for the club and also young Mums from the village

Bucks & Milton Keynes Community Challenge Award

These initiatives were so successful that the Club won a Bucks and Milton Keynes Community Challenge Award:-

“FOR THE PROMOTION OF HEALTH IN THE COMMUNITY AT ALL LEVELS AND AGES.”

Olympic Committee

As a result, Duncan was asked to give a demonstration of Nordic Walking to the Olympic Delivery Committe at Dorney Lakes (the Olympic rowing venue)

Duncan’s group continued to grow and following the NWUK Weightwatchers campaign he was asked to present to groups in Watford which has now lead to regular sessions for them and other groups in Buckinghamshire. The word is beginning to spread and Duncan is determined to continue to encourage others to, in his words…..”WALK PROUD – WALK NORDIC!”