Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill invited three Diabetes UK supporters (all pictured above) and over 30 children to join her at Chatsworth House to get an exclusive taste ofVitalityMove, her new running festival taking place at Chatsworth on Sunday 9 July and Windsor Great Park on Sunday 17 September, with Diabetes UK as the official charity partner for the events.
Jessica, who became a national hero by winning world and Olympic titles during an illustrious career, was joined in a one mile run around the stunning grounds where one of the events will take place, before taking part in a question and answer session. Before leaving each child was given a special voucher that challenged their parents to take part in VitalityMove free of charge.
Diabetes UK supporters Pam Wilson, 60, from Buxton; Lottie Swinscoe, 19, from Nottinghamshire and Andy Broomhead, 34, from Sheffield, enjoyed the opportunity to exercise and get training tips from the Sheffield heptathlete.
Pam found out she was at risk of developingType 2diabetes last year and decided to get fit and lose weight. She considers herself a walker and is looking forward to the running challenge. Lottie has been keen to raise awareness after her best friend died from complications from herType 1diabetes during her second year at university.
Andy is chair of the Diabetes UK Sheffield Voluntary Group and lives with Type 1 diabetes. He is a keen runner and passionate about raising awareness of diabetes and good diabetes care.
The new event, created by Jessica to encourage families and friends of all abilities to get moving, is a day of fun, exercise and entertainment. Those who fancy tackling a traditional running distance can try the spectacular VitalityMove 5k or 10k challenges, while an incredible one mile running course themed around different musical styles will also be available throughout the day.
Attendees also have the chance to try their hand at challenges in the Sports Zone, which will be filled with hands-on opportunities to try new activities. Music for the day will be collated by legendary DJ Trevor Nelson.
Dame Jessica said: "It was important to me that I could work with Vitality to create an event based around running which would encourage people to pursue a healthy lifestyle."
It’s great to have Diabetes UK as VitalityMove's official charity as it shares that aim. Our Chatsworth running session was a fantastic chance to meet some of their supporters and listen to their stories of why they fundraise for the charity. I hope to see lots of supporters of Diabetes UK running with us.
Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill
Jessica is using the awareness generated, as well as funds raised, to support Diabetes UK’s aim to raise awareness among the 11.9 million people in Britain currently atincreased risk of Type 2 diabetesof the dangers and prevention measures available to them.
Diabetes is one of the UK’s biggest health crises, and it’s on the rise. Some 4.5 million people in the UK are living with diabetes. Its impact and complications can be devastating, causing blindness, amputations, even early death. Having a healthy lifestyle can help reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes and help manage Type 1 diabetes.Peter Shorrick, Diabetes UK Midlands regional head, said: “We are delighted that Jessica Ennis-Hill’s VitalityMove events have Diabetes UK as their official charity.
“We all know that moving more and eating healthier can help reduce our risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. Obesity is the biggest risk factor for Type 2 diabetes and almost two in three people in the UK are overweight or obese."
These unique events, the brainchild of such an inspirational woman, will hopefully encourage more people to get some exercise and start or continue their journey to a healthy life.
Peter Shorrick, Diabetes UK Midlands regional head
Jessica teamed up with her long term partner, VITALITY, to create VitalityMove due to their shared vision around health and wellness.
Vitality is an innovative health and life insurer that explores and develops new and exciting ways to help encourage and motivate everyone, regardless of their current state of health and fitness, to take steps to a healthier life.
Entries into VitalityMove at Chatsworth House and Windsor Great Park are now available. Children under the age of 16 are completely free, and adult prices start from just £15.Advance booking is essential.
