[C]arlisle parkrun will lead a national celebration of the 70th birthday of the NHS on Saturday.
More than 85,000 people are expected to take part across the UK in the NHS70 parkrun after it was suggested by members of Carlisle parkrun. The idea has been backed by Dame Kelly Holmes.
More than 300 parkruns have signed up to take part – including Workington and Millom – and will see people running in fancy dress, sharing their NHS stories and messages of thanks.
The idea came from Nicola Jackson and Kathryn Holliday who work for NHS North Cumbria Clinical Commissioning Group. They have been working with NHS England and parkrun UK to develop the idea.
Nicola, a children’s commissioner, said: “It’s been fantastic to see an idea come to life. We know at Carlisle parkrun the impact being part of the parkrun community can have on people’s health, fitness and wellbeing. We are planning a really fun event which we think might be quite emotional. A lot of the people who take part are NHS staff or are running to improve their own health and wellbeing.
Lindsay Graham, event director for Carlisle parkrun, said: “We are so excited about celebrating such an important part of our community. Carlisle parkrun is a very welcoming event with people of all ages, sizes and abilities taking part and we welcome people getting involved.”
Hundreds of parkruns take place in parks and open spaces across England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales every Saturday morning. The community-led events are designed for people of all ages and abilities – including walkers.
This celebratory NHS70 parkrun will encourage new participants, including NHS staff and volunteers, to come along to their local parkrun to recognise the contribution of the National Health Service to the health of the nation.
More information about parkrun can be found here www.parkrun.org.uk/
