by Carole Tidball
I’ve always been a walker. Growing up on the edge of Epping Forest exploring woodland trails and later enjoying the hills of the Peak District, my life has been a series of steps. From watching steam trains on my two-mile walk to school (choosing to spend my bus fare on an energy-boosting Fry’s Chocolate Cream bar) to exploring destinations worldwide, I’ve always chosen foot-power over transport, embracing uphill climbs, challenging staircases and tricky, scrambly terrains to test my balance and stamina – and enjoy the best views.
Now in my 60s, my routine was becoming comfortable: daily walks of 3–5km and a regular Saturday Parkrun. Then, a year ago, everything changed when I discovered trundl.
Turning steps into superpowers
Trundl, who joined the Silver Marketing Association as a start-up, instantly captured my imagination. The app’s inspirational founders Hilary Mines and Tess Caven describe it perfectly:
“Imagine turning any walk into a superpower that helps both people and the planet. That’s exactly what trundl does. Trundl is a friendly app that turns your steps into something magical – supporting charities, boosting your health, and helping to protect the environment. All at the same time.”
The idea that my daily walks could generate funds for UK charities and show me my carbon emission savings was extremely appealing. Trundl is uniquely positioned as the UK’s only non-competitive walking membership community. It’s not about being the fastest or the furthest; it’s about accessibility and positive impact, no matter your age or ability. I signed up and quickly became hooked
Image shows Carole at the top of Win Hill in the Peak District – one of her favourite longer trundls.
A year of impact and motivation
Trundl provided the nudge I didn’t know I needed. My shorter walks stretched into new, longer routes. Tempted to drive to the local shops? I’d walk instead. I even invested in new gear – waterproof hiking boots, trousers, and slip-on crampons – to ensure I could get out whatever the weather.
The results of my first year using the app are astounding:
- Charitable giving: I have contributed over £110 to charities like Dogs for Autism, Trussell Trust, National Parks UK, and MOVE Against Cancer.
- Environmental action: I’ve helped fund outdoor clothing for schoolchildren and supported planting orchards with the Tree Council. Crucially, I have saved over 300 kg of CO2 by walking instead of driving.
- Personal achievement: I set an initial goal to walk the equivalent of Land’s End to John O’Groats (around 1,900 km) in my first year of using the app. I reached it with 24 days to spare and am now aiming for 2,000 km!
The app keeps motivation high with fun badges and equivalent distance tracking (“You’ve just walked the Waterways of the Norfolk Broads.”) The founders, Tess and Hil, are active on social media, encouraging the community – or ‘trundlrs’ – to push for the latest charity goal. The app automatically maps, records and stores every walk, so long as you remember to press go, and should you forget, you can record the mileage manually.
The quality of steps over quantity
While I’ve lost nearly a stone in weight and improved my Parkrun times, trundl’s focus goes beyond abstract step counts. As the founders note, studies show that while many people track 8,000 steps over the course of a day (on FitBits etc), only 8% record them as being continuous:
“Walking for 15 minutes or more at a time significantly decreases the risk of heart disease and fatality,” they explain. “A further study revealed that walking between 3,000–5,000 steps a day could delay cognitive decline by 3 years…”
Trundl focuses on time and distance over vague steps, and on being outside, preferably in nature, making it more impactful. The average distance recorded for a CO2 Saver trundle – a conscious decision to walk instead of drive – is 2.4 km.
Since launching this feature, members have recorded savings of over 15,000 KG of carbon. This is celebrated with special projects, such as funding school orchards or fishing net recycling.
A winning mission
Trundl’s mission recently resonated strongly at the Silver Marketing Association’s annual summit, where they won the popular Dragons’ Den session, pitching for an imaginary investment of £1 million.
Co-founder Hil highlighted the community’s achievements at the time: 251,000 kms walked, 11,500 kg of CO2 saved, and £26,500 donated. She made a compelling case for promoting trundl among older audiences, whose exercise levels often drop off dramatically from their 50s.
Why did they win? “I think our mission to create a powerful force for good inspired the audience,” Hil reflects. “They could see that trundl’s ecosystem of charities, companies, brands and walkers was unique and had great potential.”
The lesson is simple: everyone needs a little extra motivation. By making every walk a contribution to health, charity, and the planet, trundl provides the perfect nudge.
So, if you can do one thing today, tomorrow, or the day after, sign up for the app and take that lunchtime walk, or swap a short car trip for a ‘trundl.’ It truly is the little app with a big heart that keeps on giving.
