Olympian Fatima Whitbread’s campaign is collaborating with Chelmsford parkrun to help children and young people experience the health, wellbeing and social benefits of taking part in sport.

Chelmsford parkrun is working with Fatima’s UK Campaign as one of its Action Hubs, bringing together children aged from four to 16 from across the community, including young people with experience of the care system.

The partnership forms part of the charity’s On the Road UK Tour and its wider efforts to create opportunities through sport, education, health and wellbeing.

Announcing the collaboration, the campaign said it was proud to be working with Chelmsford parkrun to bring young people together through “health, wellbeing and the joy of taking part”.

Creating a sense of belonging

Fatima’s UK Campaign uses its network of Action Hubs to connect children and young people with supportive organisations, activities and positive role models.

The charity believes sport can offer much more than physical exercise, helping participants develop confidence, resilience, friendships and a sense of belonging.

Its work focuses particularly on children in care and care leavers, although the Chelmsford parkrun collaboration is intended to bring together young people from across the wider community.

The campaign describes its mission as ensuring children and young people are seen, heard and valued while providing practical and emotional support and campaigning for lasting improvements to their lives.

Who is Fatima Whitbread?

Fatima Whitbread MBE is one of Britain’s most recognisable former athletes.

She broke the women’s javelin world record at the 1986 European Athletics Championships before winning the European title. The following year, she became world champion in Rome.

Whitbread also won Olympic silver and bronze medals during her distinguished athletics career.

Her campaigning work has been heavily influenced by her own childhood. After being abandoned as a baby, she spent the first 14 years of her life in children’s homes before being fostered by the family of her javelin coach, Margaret Whitbread.

She has spoken openly about the importance of sport in providing stability, confidence and a sense of purpose during her early life.

Whitbread later founded Fatima’s UK Campaign to improve opportunities and outcomes for children in care and young people leaving the care system.

Chelmsford parkrun

Chelmsford Central parkrun is a free, volunteer-led five-kilometre event held in Central Park every Saturday morning.

Participants can run, jog or walk the course, making the event accessible to people with a wide range of ages and abilities.

The collaboration gives Fatima’s UK Campaign an established community setting through which young people can become active, meet others and experience the benefits of taking part.

No special public event or personal appearance by Fatima Whitbread has currently been announced as part of the Chelmsford partnership.

More information about the charity and its work can be found at https://www.fatimascampaign.com/.