Historic Move to Boost Wellbeing

25th July 2013

THE countdown is on for a brand new Sheffield parkrun in a location steeped in history.

Sheffield Castle parkrun is one of a number of similar events organised to celebrate the launch of the Move More, Do Something programme, which aims to change the way we approach physical activity in Sheffield, making it easier for people and communities to move a little bit more each day if they want to. The parkrun at Manor Fields Park on Saturday, August 3 will be one of at least four parkrun events in the city. The day has been dubbed 'Super Saturday parkrun'. Diane Cairns, development manager of The Manor and Castle Development Trust, and leading a team of volunteers in charge of organising the Sheffield Castle parkrun, said: -We are urging people in the area to get involved in this fun event, aimed at encouraging healthy lifestyle, and show why we have such a strong sporting reputation for participation. -We are inviting people of all ages and levels of fitness to come along and walk, jog or run the track around Manor Fields Park - and have some fun at the same time. The 'Move More' campaign, which is backed by all major stakeholders in the city including Sheffield City Council, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Trust, Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation trust, NHS Sheffield Clinical Commissioning Group, Sheffield Hallam University, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield Chamber of Commerce, Sheffield International Venues and the voluntary sector stems from the city being awarded the Olympic Legacy programme the National Centre of Sport and Exercise Medicine (NCSEM). The objective of the NCSEM is to create a culture of physical activity with the aim of improving the health and wealth of the city. At its heart is a 'whole city' approach to increasing physical activity in all ages and in all parts of Sheffield. This will include everything from improving grassroots sports in schools to supporting people back to work through increasing their physical activity. Diane added: -The parkrun launch is the start of an exciting and adventurous project that hopes to engage people with exercise in an enjoyable, accessible way. We want to create a 'culture' of physical activity in Sheffield - to show that simple steps can make a huge difference to the overall health of our city. -People of all backgrounds are encouraged to join, and we have arranged extra facilities to help inexperienced runners and people with disabilities. The inaugural Sheffield Castle parkrun takes place on August 3 at 9am. parkrun is free of charge and takes place during a fortnight of celebrating 'Move More, Do Something' from July 27. Sheffield people are being asked to do something to move more and then either blog, tweet, or encourage others to do the same. For more information visit: www.movemoresheffield.com.