Two friends from Northern Ireland have teamed up to create an inclusive walking group to ensure nobody has to walk alone.
Nicole Quigley and Ciara Maguire from Co Tyrone created the group Steps To Freedom two days after the news broke about the death of 23-year-old Ashling Murphy in Tullamore, Co. Offlay.
The young teacher was jogging on the canal bank in Tullamore on Wednesday, January 12, at around 4pm when she was attacked and later died of her injuries.
After hearing the tragic news, the two friends who have known each other for three years, wanted to do something to help women feel safe when out exercising, and to ensure nobody would have to be alone.
"It's one of those things you hear and think - another one, really? What's it going to take for this to come to an end?," Nicole told Belfast Live.
"But whenever you heard it was in broad daylight in a public place, you were just gobsmacked. She was so young and seemed to be such an amazing member of the community, she seemed to be an absolute dote. It was just horrible to see. I definitely had a wee cry about it, and it just made everyone feel rattled I think.
"Neither of us felt completely safe to go for a walk in the day after that. That same day somebody came to read my gas meter and I refused them in as I was home alone. I just don't feel safe.
"It brought home that violence against women is something we're facing on a daily basis. We know it's not all men, but it's always men."
Ciara added: "We saw a lot of people saying they hadn't been out for walks since finding out about Ashling. So we thought, could we do something to help?
"Our idea is to start a central group, then volunteers will start walking groups in their area, then people will be able to text in and see if there are others in the area up for going on a walk. It means nobody will ever have to walk on their own again."
Within 24 hours of setting their Instagram page up on Friday, January 14, they had gained 3,000 followers, with more than 5,000 people now following the group two weeks on. Over 200 people have been in contact to volunteer and set up walks in their own local areas.
Hoping to turn the walking group - designed for all ages and abilities - into a "movement to show that women are standing strong together", Nicole and Ciara are overwhelmed with the response they've received.
"I was a wee bit emotional about it last week," Nicole added.
"I just can't believe we've brought this many people together. It's really nice to know you're helping somebody feel a bit better and more comfortable.
"It's lovely to build up a community and see so many people getting behind it. It's something so many people are passionate about, and the groups are fully inclusive as well.
"We're both very lucky to have good male friends in our lives, and they're hoping to take part too. It's mostly geared towards women, but if you want to bring your partner, your dog, your children - you can. It's all about what you're happiest doing."
The group are organising a number of first walks to take place on Monday, January 31 in various locations across Northern Ireland at 7pm.
You can follow them on Instagram here and Facebook here to stay up to date and get involved.
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