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Members of Dumbarton fitness group Walk Jog Run West Dunbartonshire (WJRWD) has shared their thoughts on staying active at home during the coronavirus lockdown.

WJRWD is a physical activity platform set up in April 2018 by locals Maurice Donohue and Daren Borzynski as a way for Dumbarton residents to help keep active and healthy.

Maurice told the Reporter: “It was hoped that through WJRWD, more people living in West Dunbartonshire and surrounding areas would be able to find a suitable activity on a regular basis that was supported and safe to do.

“WJRWD was also a platform for promoting walking, jogging and running clubs and groups in the area, as well as highlighting local running events such as Park Run, Balloch Run’n’Park , Loch Lomond 10k and Babcock 10k Series, etc.”

With government imposed lockdown keeping residents from getting out into the spring sunshine as much as they would like, Maurice has released a fitness video to his Facebook page advising locals on how they can continue to keep active.

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Maurice said: “For many years living in the West Dunbartonshire area, I have been known in the local community in my role as a sports development officer with West Dunbartonshire Leisure Trust, having been involved with football and athletics and with my role as the get active manager with SAMH ( Scottish Association of Mental Health).

“Walking, jogging and running has been a passion for myself as well as lots of other people, so I made the video to try and give reassurance, that we can all still be active even within a restricted area.

“It gives the platform to get 10, 20 or 30 minutes of exercise for all the family, whether you walk or jog and hopefully do the activity in a fun way.”

A daily form of exercise has been promoted by health experts to prolong life expectancy, boost your immune system and support better mental health.

As well as being a founding member of WJRWD, Maurice is also a part of Sporting Memories Foundation Scotland, an organisation that tackles dementia, depression and loneliness through the power of sports recollection.

Maurice added: “Using images of sport, articles and memorabilia, older people are assisted to stay connected to their friends and communities, cognitively stimulated and physically active, with the overall aim of improving well-being and reducing loneliness and social isolation.

“Our work which is led and delivered by our fantastic volunteers, means that normally we would be out and about in the community delivering and supporting sporting memories clubs and groups around the country.

“However, with the lockdown, we are having to be creative in the use and advances in mobile technology.

“This means that we can stay connected through calls, WhatsApp and video conferencing.”

Daren focuses on home strength and balance work outs.

He told the Reporter: “There is quite a few online exercise classes and fitness instructors online, but it might be difficult to find the right one for you.

“I would suggest visiting the Paths for All website where they download a leaflet that shows you how to perform 10 exercises or go to Paths for All on Youtube for their demo video.”

Daren added: “This will be a difficult time for everyone, some of us will cope better than others.

“We need to stay positive and as active as we can, remembering to stay local and keep your distance from others when we are outside.”