Connect Health attended 12 parkrun events across the UK for the 75th anniversary of the NHS. 114 colleagues of all levels of fitness joined in; from running newbies to experienced parkrunners, and cheerleaders on the sidelines, to recognise and thank the NHS for their service over the last 75 years.
Mike Carpenter, Consultant MSK (Musculoskeletal) Clinician, Head of Clinical Delivery (South) and MSK National Lead for Connect Health, said after the event:
A massive well done to everyone who was involved with our NHS 75th Anniversary celebration events at parkrun. I would like to say a huge thank you to the local coordinators in each area for the great job they did in bringing things together at the events. We saw over 100 Connect Health colleagues walk, run, volunteer, cheer and lead their pets (or perhaps be led by their pets!) around the 12 events that we collectively attended.
The ‘parkrun for the NHS’ encouraged our teams to lead a more active, healthier lifestyle and invited others across the UK to do the same.
A colleague who regularly attends parkruns stated:
The atmosphere and level of attendance at the Rising Sun NHS parkrun was fantastic. I’ve completed numerous parkruns over recent years and they’re always great at creating a sense of community and inclusivity alongside the more obvious health promotion. Combining all that with the pride and passion people have for our National Health Service made for something that was really inspiring to be a part of.
Mike Carpenter continued,
There were fantastic examples of community engagement, promoting and raising awareness of self-referral routes into our services, linking with ICBs and local physical activity organisations, as well as linking with parkrun practices, speaking to local media and more, in celebration of 75 years of the NHS. And of course, great stories of friends and colleagues catching up with a coffee and cake (well deserved of course) after their efforts. We would like to take this opportunity to share a few photos and say well done to all who took part!
One of our first time parkrunners said,
Before attending parkrun, I hadn’t ever reached the full 5K so was fairly nervous about joining, especially as I’d only been running for a few weeks but the camaraderie and push you got from the other runners around me encouraged me to keep going even when the exhaustion set in! I think I would definitely attend another parkrun.
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