It is always great news to hear about popular local events and one of these is the annual Gerrards Cross Fun Run, which is taking place this year on Sunday 20 May. A mark of its success is that all the places for the main race have been booked up in advance, but at the time of writing registration for the children’s sprints is still open. For spectators and supporters, there is plenty to see and do, with a wide range of entertainment as well as refreshments. I look forward to going along there myself and I will be running.
The funds raised by this well-attended annual event will be going to two good causes: the Epilepsy Society and Medical Detection Dogs, both of which are based locally in Buckinghamshire.
Community events like this one depend on the volunteers who look after every aspect of the organisation throughout the year. If anyone goes along for the first time this year and would like in future to become one of the volunteering team, you will be made very welcome. There is also plenty of guidance for those who, either individually or as part of a team, may be inspired to make the transition from pavement to participant. This year programmes started in March, loosely based on the NHS “Couch to 5k” plan.
May has been designated “walking month” and part of this is celebrated in the Chilterns Walking Festival, where various events are also already fully booked before the official launch this Saturday, 19 May. The programme of walks in and around the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty incorporates family-friendly events, walks for people of differing abilities, as well as ones where the dog can come along too.
Part of the aim of “walking month” is to get more people to be active and this includes advice on the best way to get more children walking safely to school – not necessarily every day, but to try and build a walk into the day. Livingstreets.org.uk has plenty of practical advice to support the Walk to School week which runs from 21-25 May.
Dominic Grieve
This article first appeared in the Bucks Free Press on Friday 18th May 2018.