We’ve teamed up with BBC Children in Need for a brand new campaign, Walk With Joe, powered by MINI. The special campaign kicked off with events at Maidenhead and Newport last weekend.
From stages and warm ups to fancy dress and record breaking numbers, here’s how it went.
Joe Wicks attended Maidenhead parkrun on Saturday with almost 1,000 walkers. joggers and runners joining in, as well as 79 volunteers. Joe then joined over 600 walkers, joggers and runners, and more than 50 volunteers on Sunday at the Newport junior parkrun location. We also had other parkruns across the country wearing their favourite fancy dress, a spotty outfit and Pudsey ears, all in support of BBC Children In Need.
Following the long periods of isolation in recent years, the campaign aims to reconnect people within local communities and build a sense of togetherness to help change young lives. By joining us at your local parkrun location and getting together to walk and talk, participants will strengthen their community ties, as well as their own mental and physical wellbeing.
Our partners at MINI were also there to bring their bootbank and the feel good vibes of their MINI Big Love campaign, collecting activewear donations for those that need it most.
At Maidenhead, Joe warmed everyone up before he and Pudsey Bear encouraged more than 900 walkers, joggers and runners around the course. parkrun founder Paul Sinton-Hewitt and his wife, Joanne, were also there, along with Sophie Raworth, one of the main presenters on BBC News, and Jake Quickenden, singer, footballer and reality television personality, who both completed the two lapper with a throng of fans.
On Sunday morning at Newport, Joe Wicks joined BBC Radio Wales while completing the 2k course.
Joe exclaimed over the radio, “There’s hundreds of people here, it’s wonderful!
“This year, I wanted to do something that got people engaged and outside themselves and so the idea for Walk With Joe was born out of that – looking after your physical and mental health, and at the same time, raising money for BBC Children In Need.
“I really wanted it to be accessible. There’s young children here in wheelchairs, babies in buggies…it’s accessible for all. A walk out in nature is really good at elevating your mood. I’ve loved coming to Wales. parkrun is an amazing initiative.”
Walk With Joe doesn’t stop there. You can find him at Camperdown parkrun in Dundee this Saturday 12 November for a 5k, or you can find him in Nottingham at Rushcliffe Park for a 2k on Sunday 13 November. Be sure to come along in your best fancy dress!
If you’re at any other parkrun in the UK and beyond, parkrun has always been and always will be, a safe and inclusive space to walk, with or without Joe, any time of the year.
If you would like to donate to the Walk With Joe donation page, you can do so here.
Donations will enable BBC Children in Need to fund local charities and projects across the UK and ensure that children and young people are supported to thrive and be the best they can be.
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