Putting the right foot forward with Pat the Cope

Former TD and MEP Pat the Cope Gallagher has never been out of step with what's going on and even in retirement, the Dungloe public representative keeps himself as busy as ever.

But what's his secret you ask?

Apart from a hard work ethic, he keeps himself in shape by walking and urges all of us to do the same in 2023.

Pat takes to the roads, paths and hills around his native area to take in the clear fresh air while getting himself some very useful exercise in the process.

Indeed he has been taking a daily walk every day for the past three years. It started on December 27, 2019, and when he finished yesterday, December 26, 2022, he had completed 1,096 consecutive walks.

"I did a dedicated walk each consecutive day doing an average of 5.4k per day. This equates to almost 6,000k, almost twice around Ireland, equalling approximately 9,000,000 steps.

"I braved the elements each day irrespective of gale, rain, hail, frost, snow and of course the sun.

"It’s only a matter of wearing wet or dry gear which is dictated by the weather.

"The walk was largely along the river, Cope mountain walk and around Dungloe as well as in Spain and Birmingham. The MND walk-up Errigal was gruelling but rewarding. I can only recommend a walk, be it short or long as it’s important for one’s physical and mental health.

"For the doubters, it's all recorded on my Apple phone/watch!"

He urges us all to think about taking up the challenge for 2023

"Take it up in 2023 and you don’t have to do 5K daily, you will find the benefits."

Wise words indeed.