Olympic Legacy Programme Invites People to Move More

25th June 2013

A new parkrun is being set up in Manor Fields on 3rd August 2013 to kick start a whole city programme to create a culture of physical activity in Sheffield.

The new parkrun is part of the 'Move More, Do Something' campaign which aims to change the way the city works so that it is easier for people to move more as part of their everyday life. From 27th July to 10th August people in Sheffield are being asked to do something to move more and then either leave a message on the Move More website (www.movemoresheffield.com), blog, tweet or encourage others to do the same. The dates coincide with the anniversary of the London 2012 Olympic games and a year on from when Sheffield golden girl Jessica Ennis won her triumphant gold medal. The campaign, which is backed by all major stakeholders in the city, is part of the 'Olympic Legacy' programme - The National Centre of Sports and Exercise Medicine (NCSEM). Dr Robert Copeland, Reader in Physical Activity and Health at Sheffield Hallam University and Project Manager of Move More said: -Move More is not about telling people to 'get' active, that message has been done to death. Instead we want people who join in with us to say -it's just the way we do things here in Sheffield, we all move a bit more every day and that's why we feel better, look better, work better and play better than anywhere else There will be lots of activities going on during these two weeks in the summer but the activities will culminate in parks across the city on August 3rd where 4 inclusive parkrun events will take place including a new parkrun in Manor Fields Park. Parkruns are the free, friendly and easy way for people of all ages and abilities to enjoy a run, jog, or walk in the park with others in an organised event. Parkruns take place every Saturday in parks around the city but on August 3rd we are putting on special 'all inclusive events' with people of all ages and abilities encouraged to join in, with extra facilities on offer to help people with disabilities or who have never run before. Sheffield GP Doctor Ollie Hart, who is the Musculoskeletal Clinical Lead for NHS Sheffield CCG added: -This is a huge project for Sheffield that will shape health care and everyday life for the next 20 years and beyond. Moving More is an essential part of all our lives and the whole city needs to be involved with this project. Sheffield was put on the map last year after the fantastic achievements in the London Olympics and Paralympics especially from our own Jess Ennis. Now it is time to build on that legacy, but the message here is you don't have to take up athletics to get fit. Simple things like getting off the bus a stop early or walking around the office can make all the difference. So let's all join in and try and move more if we can. 'Move More, Do Something' is Sheffield's strategy for making participation in physical activity one of the 'cultures' of the population and is supported by all the major partners including; Sheffield City Council, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Trust, Sheffield Children's Hospital NHS Foundation Trust , NHS Sheffield Clinical Commissioning Group, Sheffield Hallam University, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Sheffield International Venues and the Voluntary Sector. Visit www.movemoresheffield.com to find out what is happening during the two week festivities, along with hints and tips on how to Move More and join in with the programme.