BASINGSTOKE parkrun at War Memorial Park will be one of hundreds of ‘parkruns’ around the UK to host a special NHS birthday celebration event on Saturday 8 July.
The initiative ‘parkrun for the NHS' recognises the contribution of the NHS to the health of the nation and aims to inspire people to lead healthy, active lifestyles.
Basingstoke parkrun is a free physical event that takes place every Saturday morning at 9am. Participants can choose to walk, jog, run or volunteer or just come along and watch and join in the fun.
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On July 8, Basingstoke parkrun will encourage participants to wear blue or fancy dress and give a big cheer to the NHS. This is the second time parkrun UK and the NHS have worked together. In 2018, for the 70th birthday of the NHS, an incredible UK-wide celebration was held which saw more than 146,000 people getting involved.
As well as celebrating the NHS’s 75th birthday, parkrun will also be promoting its longstanding partnership with the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP). Basingstoke parkrun has partnered with the CGH Partnership and Chineham Medical Practice as part of this initiative.
Dame Kelly Holmes, a regular parkrunner, who worked as a nursing assistant before going into the British Army and later becoming a full-time athlete, said: “It is fantastic to see that parkrun and junior parkrun events are joining forces with the NHS across the UK to celebrate its 75th anniversary.
"Parkrun for the NHS is a great opportunity for people to come together to improve their own health and wellbeing, through activity and social connection, as well as to thank the incredible NHS staff and volunteers across the country. I’d encourage everyone to head down to their local parkrun or junior parkrun event on July 8 and 9, and make this a wonderful celebration to remember.”
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Avi Govind, event director at Basingstoke parkrun, said: “Following the success of our celebration for the 70th birthday of the NHS, which saw a great turnout from NHS staff and superb support for them from other parkrunners, I can’t wait for this Saturday’s event. I’m sure that our participants will once again embrace the ‘parkrun for the NHS’ initiative and show their appreciation for everyone who works for and volunteers in the health service."
Emily Axford, who will be run director at the Basingstoke parkrun event on 8 July, said: "Working as a Physician Associate in Emergency Medicine, I'm thrilled to bring my two passions together on July 8 as the Run Director for Basingstoke's 'parkrun for the NHS'.
"We are celebrating the NHS's 75th anniversary and the wonderful and caring NHS staff and volunteers. Starting your weekend off with parkrun is a fun, free way to get active and improve your health and well-being."
Registration is free on the parkrun website at http://www.parkrun.org.uk/register/.
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