Calling all young people to take the Race for Life Challenge
Young people across Shropshire are being invited to take the Race for Life challenge this June (2013) and help raise money for Cancer Research UK.
Organised by Shropshire’s Members of Youth Parliament (MYPs) and Shropshire Council’s positive activities team and supported by Shropshire’s Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), the event is on Saturday 29 June 2013 from 1pm to 4pm at Shrewsbury Sports Village, Sundorne, Shrewsbury.
The race is open to boys and girls of all abilities as well as parents, carers and group leaders.
You can either walk, dance, run, wheelchair as far as you want, or if you fancy a challenge you can aim for 3km or 5km. Contestants can also dress in pink, blue, fancy dress, or in your group colours. All children and young people must be accompanied by an adult group leader or and adult family member.
Ann Hartley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for children’s services – transformation and safeguarding, said:
“I think the Race for Life for young people is a brilliant idea, giving children, young people and their families a great opportunity to take part and raise money for a very worthy course. The run offers a fantastic day out for all the family whatever the weather, so please join us and sign up.”
Karen Calder, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for health, said:
“Young people’s health and well-being is very high on our agenda. The Race for Life is a great non-competitive way of getting children interested in a leisure activity and getting fitter too. I encourage local children and young people and their families to come along, get active and have fun.”
Organiser Lorraine Warrender, MYPs support worker with the positive activities team, added:
“The MYPs are working this year on health and happiness. This event is a great opportunity to promote how healthy eating and becoming more active can help to prevent cancer whilst raising money for cancer research. There will also be prizes given out in a competition which will ask entrants to say how they are going to pledge to become more active.”
Bharti Patel-Smith, Shropshire CCG’s Director of Governance and Involvement, said:
“We are pleased to support this event, which was the idea of local Youth Parliament members. We know that many young people wanted to join the adult race for life, so we hope they will take part in this event. We are always keen to encourage young people to be more active, and this is a fun way of doing exercise and, importantly, raising money for a good cause. As a CCG we work closely with the Youth Parliament to understand young people’s health needs and how we can improve services.
“We are also donating a prize to the young people’s race for life, by offering one lucky winner the chance to spend two days with the CCG on work experience. We hope that these two days will provide them with an insight to our work and useful experience that will look great on their future CVs.”
If you work with young people, would like to bring your own children, or want to volunteer at this event, then please join us for what will be a brilliant day supporting a very worthy charity.
Entry to the race is just 50p and is payable on the day, but you’ll need to register your place by Friday 21 June 2013. To register contact Lorraine on 07582 002587 or email lorraine.warrender@shropshire.gov.uk.
Contestants are encouraged to bring donations on the day; all proceeds will go towards Cancer Research UK Race for Life. You can also give via our Just Giving page: http://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/shropshireyouth.
Further information
The following teams are already signed up to support the MYPs and the positive activities team at this event: school nurses, West Mercia Police, family solutions, Clinical Commissioning Group, public health, young carers, scouts, local dance and fitness groups, Shropshire Councillors and local schools.
