'My pal who inspired walking therapy group would be so proud'

A man who set up a walk-and-talk therapy group in memory of a friend who took his own life says he would be "really proud" of the life-changing work it does.

Maj Mahmood, of Nelson, Lancashire, said it was a "massive shock" when Simon Walker, 27, died in 2018.

"I had no idea he was struggling - he never talked about it. He was always laughing and joking," he said.

Inspired to help men break the stigma of talking about their mental health, the keen walker put out a message on social media inviting people to join him on a walk from Nelson to Pendle Hill.

Twenty people turned up - the latest group in thousands who have joined Maj on his walks, with some telling him the group has saved their life.

Maj, who raised money for various charities before Simon's died, pulled in another £4,000 for The Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) in the aftermath of his death.

As he was raising awareness of mental health, friends were asking him to talk and they initially went to the pub.

However, rather than drinking, Maj said he wanted to do something that would allow them "to get things off their chest and be good for them, too, where they would feel better".

That is when the 43-year-old got the idea to start the Walk and Talk group.

He initially put a post out for a walk in October 2018 asking if anyone wanted to join him.

The group has gone from strength to strength ever since, with walks including annual treks up Yr Wyddfa, also known as Snowdon, and the family favourite Glow walk which takes in the Pendle Sculpture Trail which tells the story of the Pendle Witches in "stone".

He said more than 150 people have turned up to join some of the walks.

Now a community interest company, Maj said the group - which welcomes women, too - attracts people from all backgrounds and has raised thousands of pounds for charities, with sponsored challenges such as the Yorkshire Three Peaks.

Maj has also started a Men Talk group for males who want to chat but do not want to - or are not able - to hike alongside his charity fundraising which saw a race across Pendle last year in aid of Pendle Hospice.

The group meets every fortnight at Hodge House Community Centre in Nelson between 18:00 and 20:30 GMT.

Maj said he has seen a shift in the stigma about men opening up over recent years.

"At the beginning it was a struggle to get guys - now we get men from all communities. It's like a big family and has had a massive impact," he said.

"Some people have told me it has saved their lives."

It has helped Maj, too, and has even resulted in him ditching his job in retail.

He can now take young people walking too, as part of his new job as a youth worker and walk-and-talk therapist.

"It really helps me because I have struggled with my mental health in the past. Now I know people are relying on me has given me a boost."

He said he was "much happier" thanks to his career change.

"I was stuck in a job I hated and I now get to do the job I love," he said.

Simon's mother is a big supporter of the group and has also taken part in some of the sponsored challenges.

What does Maj think Simon would have made of the group?

"I think he would be really proud," he replied.

"He used to tell me it was brilliant how I'd raise money for charities so I know he would be pleased."

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