Warburtons joins parkrun to boost kids’ health
The bakery has signed a three-year partnership with parkrun, the not-for-profit organisation that organises free, timed running events across the country, to expand the number of junior parkrun events and help even more young people keep active.
Warburtons executive director Brett Warburton said: “As a family-owned business, family is at the heart of everything we do. We believe we have a responsibility to play an active role in our communities and do so through our community investment programme, Families Matter.”
The bakery boss said the manufacturer was committed to supporting young families build healthy lifestyles through a balanced diet and exercise. “We are delighted to partner with parkrun to help more families take part in physical activity which is fun for all the family.
30,000 children a year
“This complements our School Visitors programme, which helps 30,000 children a year learn about the importance of healthy eating,” he said.
Junior parkrun is a series of 2km events, in which youngsters can run, jog or walk. Open to children aged between four to 14, on a typical Sunday, more than 5,000 young participants take part across 81 junior parkruns throughout the country.
Runners are accompanied by hundreds of family members and each event is coordinated by local community volunteers.
Project to run and run
“We are delighted to partner with parkrun to help more families take part in physical activity which is fun for all the family. This complements our School Visitors programme, which helps 30,000 children a year learn about the importance of healthy eating,”
- Brett Warburton
The organisations plan to introduce junior parkrun events to another 72 locations across the country over the next three years.
Warburtons will donate £300,000 over three years to facilitate this expansion of junior parkrun, with a focus on starting new events in more disadvantaged communities.
Warburtons will donate £300,000
“The partnership aims to engage more than 60,000 new young people and their families, particularly where the need for greater awareness about the benefits of physical activity is greatest,” according to the business.
Founder of parkrun Paul Sinton-Hewitt, said: “Inclusivity has always been at the heart of parkrun and this partnership will allow us to engage even more effectively with all communities.”
The junior version of parkrun was an ideal way to get children into the habit of taking part in enjoyable regular exercise in a supportive environment, said Sinton-Hewitt. “This is vitally important if we are to successfully encourage young people to pursue active and healthy lifestyles in adulthood.”
What is parkrun?
“parkrun is a series of 5km runs held on Saturday mornings in areas of open space around the UK. They are open to all, free, and are safe and easy to take part in. If you're aged between 4 and 14, you may also be interested in our junior parkrun events.”
Source: parkrun
