A combined walking and pickup stick comprises an adjustable length shaft 17, a pickup mechanism 14 including a jaw 15 at or near one end of the shaft 17, an actuator assembly 26 at or near the other end of the shaft 17, and an actuation line 32. The actuation line 32 is fastened at a first end 34 to a point on the walking and pick up stick, and runs from the first end 34 via the actuator assembly 26 and along the shaft 17 to the pickup mechanism 14. A second end of the actuation line 32 is connected to the pickup mechanism 14 such that, in use, operation of the actuator assembly 26 results in actuation of the pickup mechanism 14. Adjustment of the length of the shaft 17 results in an increase or decrease in the length of an actuation line path between the actuator assembly 26 and the pickup mechanism 14 and a corresponding decrease or increase in the length of an actuation line path elsewhere in the stick such that the total actuation line path length is unchanged, and operation of the pickup mechanism 14 is unaffected by the adjustment of the length of the shaft 17.
