Tony joined the Edinburgh Ageing Well project three years ago to manage his circulatory disease and diabetes, and since then trained as a Volunteer Walk Leader to give back to others what he had got out of the walks.
Tony’s volunteering role involves leading free, social and short Health Walks, including Dementia and Cancer Friendly walks, across Edinburgh. Tony supports people on these walks to enjoy being active, no matter what their age, ability or condition might be.
Beyond his formal volunteering roles with Ageing Well, Tony puts others before himself, offering to drive those who are less mobile, to social events they would often otherwise be unable to attend.
Tony’s volunteering role involves leading free, social and short Health Walks, including Dementia and Cancer Friendly walks, across Edinburgh. Tony supports people on these walks to enjoy being active, no matter what their age, ability or condition might be.
Beyond his formal volunteering roles with Ageing Well, Tony puts others before himself, offering to drive those who are less mobile, to social events they would often otherwise be unable to attend.
Tony said: “I feel honoured, surprised and delighted to receive this award. I’m very lucky to have been invited to become a Walk Leader by Ageing Well. They have been most supportive.
"I really enjoy my role as a Walk Leader - the fresh air, the participants, the camaraderie, the cuppa and chat at the end of a walk. The thanks and support you get from the walkers is really rewarding.”
Through his promotional activities he has encouraged numerous new volunteers to join the project and scores of new participants to enjoy walking.
"I really enjoy my role as a Walk Leader - the fresh air, the participants, the camaraderie, the cuppa and chat at the end of a walk. The thanks and support you get from the walkers is really rewarding.”
Through his promotional activities he has encouraged numerous new volunteers to join the project and scores of new participants to enjoy walking.
Brendan Brodie, Volunteer Coordinator at Ageing Well Edinburgh said: “Tony is a truly caring and considerate volunteer who goes out of his way to help all of his walkers and leaders.
“He inspires, organises and mentors his fellow Walk Leaders, to ensure every Health Walk they lead is supportive and welcoming for anyone to join.
“Even this year when Tony received major surgery for bowel cancer he was busy organising his Health Walk groups to enable them to continue while he was in hospital.
“I’m really proud to have such fantastic volunteers playing a vital role in supporting the health and wellbeing of the people of Edinburgh, and great to see Tony recognised at Paths for All’s annual awards.”
As well as enjoying giving back to his community, Tony physically benefits from taking part in the walks and enjoys walking to help manage his conditions.
“He inspires, organises and mentors his fellow Walk Leaders, to ensure every Health Walk they lead is supportive and welcoming for anyone to join.
“Even this year when Tony received major surgery for bowel cancer he was busy organising his Health Walk groups to enable them to continue while he was in hospital.
“I’m really proud to have such fantastic volunteers playing a vital role in supporting the health and wellbeing of the people of Edinburgh, and great to see Tony recognised at Paths for All’s annual awards.”
As well as enjoying giving back to his community, Tony physically benefits from taking part in the walks and enjoys walking to help manage his conditions.