More than 85,000 people are expected to take part in a special parkrun UK event on Saturday 9 June 2018 to celebrate the NHS’s 70^th birthday.

Backed by double Olympic gold medallist Dame Kelly Holmes, parkrun for the NHS is the first event of its type.

Staff from all parts of the NHS, from doctors to domestics and paramedics to porters, will join runners, walkers and volunteers at more than 300 local parkruns to mark the contribution the NHS has made to the nation.

Parkruns are volunteer-led 5k events that take place each Saturday morning in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and are open to walkers and runners of all ages and abilities. On 9 June, participants are encouraged to don NHS-themed attire, with NHS staff being encouraged to attend a local parkrun.

As well as recognising the NHS’s birthday, it is hoped that parkrun for the NHS will encourage new participants, including NHS staff, to get more involved in physical activity and volunteering. Inactivity is a key cause of obesity, which it is estimated is responsible for more than 30,000 deaths each year.

Dame Kelly Holmes, a regular parkrunner who was a nursing assistant before joining the British Army and becoming a full-time international athlete, said: “The NHS is there for us in the best and worst of times, as my family and I experienced during my late mother’s illness last year. NHS staff work hard to support us and parkrun for the NHS is a perfect opportunity for people to show their support for the NHS in its 70^th year. I too will be supporting the event on 9 June.”

Ian Dodge, NHS England’s national director of strategy and innovation, said: “We are delighted to have teamed up with parkrun to organise this event. The number of parkruns taking part is testament to the pride that people feel for the NHS and its staff. We encourage as many people as possible to get involved.”

Chrissie Wellington, Head of Health and Wellbeing at parkrun, said: “We want to encourage healthcare practitioners to signpost people to parkrun, especially those who are least active and have long term conditions, because we know that participating in parkrun can help improve health and wellbeing. Parkrun for the NHS is the perfect way for us to increase awareness of parkrun amongst the health service while at the same time paying tribute to the enormous contribution of NHS staff.”

Dr James Thallon, NHS England Medical Director for Kent, Surrey and Sussex, said: “We recognise the benefits that being physically active brings for both a person’s mental and physical health. Parkrun offers a marvellous opportunity for everyone to get involved and reap the rewards that exercise can bring. It’s social, it’s fun, and it’s good for you. As we approach the 70^th anniversary of our NHS, I would encourage everyone to explore the ways in which they can make a difference to their health outcomes and consider dusting off your running shoes to take part in this special parkrun UK event by walking, jogging or running.”

Parkrun for the NHS in Kent, Surrey and Sussex on Saturday 9 June 2018

Kent

• Ashford
• Folkestone
• Greatlines Gillingham
• Maidstone
• Malling
• Pegwell Bay Kent
• Royal Tunbridge Wells
• Whitstable
• Sittingbourne

Surrey

• Cranleigh
• Mole Valley

Sussex

• Brighton
• Chichester
• Crawley
• East Grinstead
• Eastbourne
• Worthing

For more details and to find your local event, visit: www.nhs70.nhs.uk/parkrun.

Ends

Notes to Editors

• The NHS is turning 70 on 5 July 2018. It’s the perfect opportunity to celebrate the achievements of one of the nation’s most loved institutions, to appreciate the vital role the service plays in our lives, and to recognise and thank the extraordinary NHS staff – the everyday heroes – who are always there to greet, advise and care for us.
• We will look at the radical thinking that led to the creation of the NHS, the breakthroughs which have transformed our health and wellbeing and how the service is evolving to meet our future needs, including the wide array of opportunities being created by advances in science, technology and information.
• For more information about the NHS’s 70^th birthday, visit: www.nhs70.nhs.uk.

parkrun UK media contact:

Glen Turner

07545 115184

glen.turner@parkrun.com

NHS70 South East contact:

Linda Gregory

07557 215304

Linda.gregory4@nhs.net