UP FRONT: FUTURE EALING
Powered
by people
A free, weekly running event for
youngsters is a runaway success
thanks to volunteers doing their bit –
and with the help of a community website
everyone can use. Deborah Dickey reports
A
cton’s junior parkrun takes
place every Sunday. It now
has on average 60 four to
14 year-olds taking on the
2km course in Acton Park.
COMING TOGETHER
As part of its Future Ealing programme
the council wants to encourage more
people to get involved and make
things happen in their local area. Many
volunteering opportunities are posted
on the Bubble community website, at
www.dosomethinggood.org.uk –
where you can also post your own local
projects and ask the community to help.
6
around ealing April 2018
Monika Barry
volunteers at Acton
junior parkrun
Acton’s junior parkrun has used
Bubble in this way, to get volunteers to
help run the event.
Clare Walker runs the event and
she said: “I am passionate about kids
being healthy. Because its voluntary and
grassroots, it keeps the event free and
open to everyone. The big challenge is
getting enough volunteers every week.
We need people to marshal the event,
lead the warm up, help to set up and pack
up. We’re usually all done in around 20
minutes so it it’s a small time commitment,
but it makes a big difference.”
‘IT’S GREAT FOR MEETING PEOPLE’
Monika Barry is a local resident and
volunteer. Her daughter takes part in
the run. She said: “The run is great
for the local kids. It’s not a huge time
commitment and because we often go
to the café after the run, it’s great for
meeting people in the area.”
The children, some running with
their parents, start the short course
around the park at 9am. All the
runs are timed and many children
come along hoping to beat their
own personal bests, but the aim is to
have fun whatever the pace.
‘VOLUNTEERING IS FUN’
Matilda Bower,14, is working towards her
bronze Duke of Edinburgh award and is
also a volunteer. She said: “Volunteering
is fun and it’s exciting to see the children
doing their best and trying so hard.
I remember what it feels like to start
running and I like doing things like
this with my time. More young people
should put down their smartphones
and come and do stuff like this.”
It is easy to take part in the Acton
junior parkrun. Go to www.parkrun.org.uk
and search under the events section.
Acton junior parkrun is always
looking for volunteers. For
information on this, and lots of other
events, visit dosomethinggood.org.uk
and visit ealingnewsextra.co.uk/
getmoving for other tips on keeping
active.