I have never been one for running. I once tried to run a mile but had to give up well short of the target distance as my lungs were about to explode.

So, it’s walking for me, I’m afraid . . . at an inspiring 3mph.

When I walk round my local park, what strikes me is that the walkers seem relaxed and happy, chatting to each other and enjoying the scenery, while the runners show various levels of stress as they push themselves to the limit.

So at the weekend when I was doing my usual three laps of the park, which probably equate to about two miles, I was thinking about new research which showed that walking is actually on the decline in the UK.

The results suggested a quarter of the British public won’t walk anywhere that takes over 15 minutes. Three quarters won’t walk to work. Almost 70% never walk to the shops, while only a third would ever do the school run on foot, with only around a third of us admitting to enjoying a weekend walk for pleasure.

The findings prompted Ordnance Survey to launch a campaign, #GetOutside, with the aim of urging people to get off the sofa, ditch the car and enjoy the outdoors.

Nick Giles, managing director for Ordnance Survey Leisure, says: “These results are shocking and very disappointing. We are in danger of becoming disconnected from our own landscape.” With that aim in mind, the company have launched a campaign to find #GetOutside champions.

Nick said: “We are interested in hearing from people of all ages and abilities who love the outdoors and believe they can get others to love it, too. Or we would like to hear from you if you know someone who would make an inspirational champion. It is our hope that the champions will make a difference to their communities and beyond by helping people reconnect with spending quality time outdoors.” They are looking for people who are passionate and enthusiastic about the out of doors, and who are great at motivating others to get out there and enjoy it.

The chosen champions will have the opportunity to take part in photoshoots and a year-long series of events with OS’s ambassadors, the wildlife presenter and naturalist Steve Backshall, endurance adventurer Sean Conway and mountaineer and Everest climber Bonita Norris. Each champion will also be able to share their insights, thoughts and outdoor stories through the #GetOutside website and social media.

People can nominate themselves to be a #GetOutside champion or someone they know by emailing 250 words to getoutside@os.uk that explain why you, or the person you are nominating, should be a champion, including any social media accounts which you/they use and two photographs – one head and shoulders and outdoor activity shot.