Betty Bunion

Worry-wart, Serious, Wise, Divorcee, Intelligent, Gay.

Betty is highly intelligent, with a passion for reading and a penchant for writing letters to the editor. Blunt, and often just plain old rude, Betty Bunion’s strident attitude means she sometimes finds it hard to get along with others. To add to this, Betty worries about pretty much everything. What if the phone rings when I’m out? What if I forget to lock the door and a burglar steals my phone? What if they don’t wipe their feet before entering and what if the stain never comes out?

What if people discover I’m gay?

Betty’s recently moved towns – driven by the need to escape a maelstrom of gossip caused by her affair with her son’s school form mistress. Shunned by family and friends in Bigotsville, Betty is trying to walk a new path. Her mantra is that “women who want to be equal to men have no ambition”.

Lonely and desperate to kickstart her new life and enjoy some womanly companionship, Betty writes a letter to the editor inviting local women to help her form a walking group. And … Wonder Walkers is born........Beat the track, Betty.

Roxie Ramble

Tough trooper, Staunch, Determined, Bossy, Over-weight,
Mother of five, Army brat., Happily married.

Roxie Ramble’s an army brat with an attitude to match.
Following in her family’s footsteps, she joined the army as a school leaver. But she never really grasped the idea of taking orders. She was kicked out when a note was found in the sergeant’s desk stating that a certain Roxie Ramble would chop off his manly hood and feed it to her cat if he barked at her again. Sometimes she was more Rambo than Ramble. Her husband, however – with manly hood intact – loves the fire in her nature. Five children later, Roxie’s sick and tired of her thighs rubbing together, her belly bouncing, and the sweat beading on her upper lip as she struggles up the steps. Plus, she’s starting to suspect that a balanced diet doesn’t mean a muffin in each hand. She once went on a diet for a month and lost 30 days! It’s time for a diet of diet plus exercise. Wonder Walkers not only helps in her quest to lose weight, it provides her with much needed “me” time, an opportunity to walk the dog, and the chance to re-discover the old BC (before children) Roxie.
........Keep on walking Roxie.

Ani Ambler

Ex-drinker, Former student, Laid-back, Has hypertension (high blood pressure). Ani's partner is a perpetual student who makes Ani’s lifestyle change difficult

Ani grew up in the bosom of her close-knit whanau. Life was sweet. No pressure. Days passed at a relaxed pace. When she moved away for her Polytech course, Ani embraced the unstructured student lifestyle – as well as a partner who made a career out of being a student. No-one bullied her to attend lectures and there was always a party going on somewhere. But years of drinking, smoking and over-indulgence have taken their toll. A recent health scare – significant high blood pressure – has made her try a healthier lifestyle. Following a stern lecture from her GP, Ani ceremonially burns her last pack of cigarettes, drains the wine cask, and phones Wonder Walkers........Aim high Ani.

Susie Strider

Energetic, Impatient, Focused, Strong-willed, High achieving, Currently infertile. Husband also a top sportsman.

Right from the words ‘ready-set-go’, Susie Strider entered this world with a bang (she was born in a car with back-firing issues, racing to the hospital).
She’s a dynamic go-getter, a natural leader and a fitness fanatic. Her sporting prowess is legendary and she has the trophy cabinet to prove it. Tops in tennis, triathlons, swimming and skiing, she’s suffering burnout from the constant competition. Her therapist suggests Susie needs to put the social side into her sport. And, there’s also the non-discussed wee matter of those –so far – failed fertility treatments…Having met the Wonder Walkers she’s gaining a winning combination of conversation and camaraderie as well as a less taxing form of exercise. She may be new to the group but, she’s already self-appointed leader and lap counter. While many of the Wonder Walkers find her a tad daunting (does she really need to carry that stop-watch?), they appreciate she’s a master motivator.
.......Step it out Susie.

Laura Laces

Posh, Fifty something, Flighty, Wealthy, Age-issues, Tabitha’s mother. Widow.

Laura Laces is a 50-something wealthy widow. A lonely lady-who-lunches. She’s committed to social causes – providing there’s a charity ball or social soiree involved. Posh and pampered, Laura Laces lives the life of a true socialite. She’s often seen in the glamour sections of local magazines in champagne-fuelled clinches with toy boys. Constantly in the spotlight, Laura Laces lives a life less ordinary. Sensitive about her age, Laura is given to bouts of “wrinkle-rage” which only subside after lengthy stays at her favourite health spa. Her life became even more extraordinary when she met the Wonder Walkers. Laura Laces learned the importance of having true friends – something money can’t buy – and what it means to be a friend in return. People assumed she was always busy, but in reality she often waited by the phone hoping someone would call. Now that she has the Wonder Walkers the phone doesn’t stop ringing. She’s even introduced her daughter Tabitha to the group – on the proviso she remains Mum about their true relationship.
........Lengthen your stride, Laura.

Trudy Tendon

Stylish, Sexy, Trustfund baby, Princess Syndrome, Hidden depths, Dizzy, Single and loving it.

A private school girl at heart, Trudy Tendon has fond childhood memories of endless days shopping at overpriced shoe stores with her first Gold Card. She is elegant, swanky and her Dad is filthy rich. Nothing is ever too good for Daddy’s little trust fund baby. Through his contacts she has a job as assistant stylist on a fashion magazine. Trudy inhabits a world of air kisses and flimsy friendships. The Wonder Walkers women were not normally her style at all, but they literally crashed their way into her life. They had built up some walking momentum one autumn day when, turning a corner, they smacked into the unsuspecting Trudy. She hadn’t seen them coming, distracted by the shoegasm she was having, caused by the sight of ruby-red stilettos in a shop window. At a loose end, with nothing better to do (and suspecting the group could be a captive audience for her “it’s all about me” stories) Trudy popped inside the store for those to-die-for Dolce and Gabbana sneakers before joining the group for a stroll. This ‘outing’ with these strangely dressed yet compelling women would definitely be a oncer. For sure. Honest. As if! ........Be tempted Trudy.

Patty Placard

Supportive, Loving, Friendly, Innocent, Naïve, Eco-warrior
Married to an Asian man who works the Futures market.

Patty grew up in a nudist colony in a remote coastal town where she cultivated an alternative ethos of peace, love and organic vegetables. Patty’s an eco warrior with a message to spread. She moved to the ‘Big Smoke’, bought some clothes from the Salvation Army and took to the streets to encourage heavy-footed city dwellers to lighten their carbon footprint. She’ll tell you that while walking you inhale happiness and well-being as you smell the flowers and share a giggle with some friends. It’s good for the planet too, and best of all – it’s free. Patty’s become a common sight pounding the pavements, lapels laden with badges supporting environmental causes. She’s started numerous walking school buses, organised carpooling groups, and she campaigns tirelessly to bring back carless days. Patty practises what she preaches. She never misses a Wonder Walkers wander.
......Keep walking the talk, Patty.

Tabitha and Toey

Tabitha’s a new mum, Enthusiastic, Vengeful, Has father-issues

The daughter of Laura Laces, Tabitha has always struggled to adjust to life without her father.
At 17, and looking for a father figure, she was taken in by Henry the ‘distinguished aristocrat’ from England who supposedly drove Bentleys and drank Pimms. But, he turned out to be none other than Barry, a fishmonger from Fraudstown who worked the fryer at 365 Tay Street Fish Shop – and was good at accents. Needless to say, the relationship didn’t last, Barry refused to accept paternity and Tabitha entered the world of solo parenting. Her mother suggested Tabitha join Wonder Walkers. What better way to clear the mind, get out of the house, make some new friends and come up with ingenious plans of revenge? It’s a known fact that eight minds are better than one. Now when Tabitha tries to make her mark on the world she’ll be on the look out for guys with big erasers!
…..Who’s your mummy, Tabitha?