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@Katy79 

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Katy79

parkrun & MS

Hello! I'm one of the two new parkrun "outreach" ambassadors for MS - and just wanted to let those interested know that we are starting a new facebook group (and hopefully soon a Strava club) for parkrunners with MS. https://www.facebook.com/groups/parkrun.for.people.with.multiple.sclerosis/ For those that don't know, parkrun organise free, weekly, timed 5k events every Saturday in parks across the country. These are super inclusive events which you can walk, jog or run at your own speed - and they are run by volunteers so there is a real sense of community. http://www.parkrun.org.uk/ As an outreach ambassador my role is to raise awareness of parkrun - and the fact that it is so inclusive - within the MS community. This is part of a government sponsored programme with parkrun called "PROVE" which has already been rolled out across various other conditions. The aim is to get more people with these conditions walking, jogging, running or volunteering at parkrun - and most importantly getting the health (physical, mental and emotional) benefits that delivers. If you have any questions about parkrun give me a shout or pop over to the FB group and say hello! K xxx (p.s. for those that follow the Barts Blog, Dr G has been getting on board with the initiative in his featured post this week! http://multiple-sclerosis-research.blogspot.com/2018/08/how-big-is-your-need-to-exercise.html)
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@Katy79
@Katy79
 

Hello, Just giving this a little bump - and sharing this brilliant story http://blog.parkrun.com/uk/2018/09/11/parkrunning-with-multiple-sclerosis/ If anyone is interested in joining parkrun - either as a walker, runner or volunteer please do drop me a line. Kat x

@Katy79
@Katy79
 

Hello! Just giving this a little bump in case of interest! - there are nearly 800 registered parkrunners in the UK who have registered as having MS - the FB group for people affected by MS now has 200 members - mainly based in the UK but we also have people from Germany, South Africa and Australia. The group includes people with a real range of running abilities - from super fit and fast speedy club runners (including those who manage incredible times with various FES devices) and to people who are working up to their first 5km jog, those who walk the course, people building their distances (and speed!) in their wheelchairs and those who love the community feel of volunteering. - a lot of health care practitioners are using parkrun as part of their "social prescribing" for a range of health conditions, including MS. parkrun was given a grant by the department of health to get people with long term health conditions / disabilities active and the Royal College of GPs has launched a big collaboration with parkrun. - It is International Social Prescribing Day on 14th March and a number of UK parkruns will be marking this with special events (e.g. Malling parkrun in Kent is being "taken over" by one of the local GP practices and is running an VI guiding event) Give me a shout if you'd like to know more. https://www.facebook.com/groups/parkrun.for.people.with.multiple.sclerosis/