We want to get kids moving: Olympic hero Colin Jackson and Helen Skelton go talent spotting

We want to get kids moving: Olympic hero Colin Jackson and Helen Skelton go talent spotting

With Euro 2012, Wimbledon and the London Olympics, this is the year for schoolchildren to be inspired by sport.

There are plenty of ways for youngsters to get motivated, try new activities and have fun.

Encouraging kids to take part in and benefit from sport is something former Olympic silver medallist Colin Jackson feels passionately about.

“The Olympics will be so inspiring for children,” he says. “It’s what the Olympics are there to do â€" to try to inspire young people to take up sport and do something they love.”

The 45-year-old former hurdling world champion has visited thousands of schoolchildren all eager to get fit and take part in this year’s Great School Run â€" a 2km fun run for children aged five to 11, which is happening around the country until July 23.

In its eighth year, the Tesco Great School Run encourages primary schoolchildren and their families to improve their fitness through healthy eating and exercise, and put their hard work to the test in a 2km fun run hosted at their school.

To kick-start this year’s campaign, Colin completed his own run â€" a half marathon topped off by three miles across the London borough of Westminster â€" to mark the signing up of all of the borough’s 39 primary schools for the School Run.

He was joined by youngsters and teachers along the way as he passed some of the capital’s most iconic landmarks.

Colin stopped at each of the 21 primary schools, meeting more than 2,000 children and giving more than 500 high-fives.

He then teamed up with Blue Peter presenter and adventurer Helen Skelton and travelled by helicopter for a tour of 5,000 primary schoolchildren in Belfast, Gateshead, Birmingham and Greenwich, London. They received a tremendous reception at each school they landed at â€" with both being mobbed by fans.

Tesco Great School Run logo

 

The Great School Run tour team has also visited 50 locations up and down the UK, from Derry in Northern Ireland, and Glasgow to Cardiff and the Isle of Man.

The tour culminated in two huge events at Bellahouston Park in Glasgow, attended by 3,500 schoolchildren and the SportCity, Etihad Campus in Manchester, where more than 5,000 children took part in a mass dancing warm-up exercise led by Colin.

He says: “This was one of the highlights of my year. It’s amazing to see the sense of achievement children get from taking part in the School Run, and how enthusiastic the children are.

“It was amazing for the children taking part in the run in Manchester with the iconic backdrop of the City of Manchester Stadium. It was

exciting for them to be where the athletes train.

“In Glasgow, the kids got to try the events at the Commonwealth Games â€" like tug of war and golf. That was fun. This year has been pretty special, and it’s brilliant to see children who have sporting talent.

“It was our first time visiting the Isle of Man and I saw one girl taking the lead in her run. She was excellent and with training she could be a good athlete.” Colin started athletics training while at school and competed at a junior level before switching to senior ranks.

He was a world record holder in the 110m hurdles, won gold twice at the World Championships and took home an Olympic silver medal. He retired from athletics in 2003 and is now part of the BBC’s athletics commentary team and an ambassador for the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Despite working on the run-up to the Olympics, inspiring kids to take up sport comes high on his list of priorities.

He adds: “Young kids want to be active all the time. We have to get the message out to mums and dads to get their kids moving. Take them to the park, go out in the garden.

"We want to see parents being supportive, keeping kids engaged in sport â€" if they’re engaged you’re on to a winner.

“When we do the School Run tour you see raw talent, youngsters who have the mind, focus and the talent for sport. I feel if we can engage children now they will keep the interest through to adult life.

“That’s what is so great about the Run, it gives children and parents an opportunity to get fit and be part of the action.

“It’s not about setting personal bests or breaking world records â€" it’s about people of all abilities and ages keeping fit and healthy and, above all, having fun.

"In fact, we call it a run but people are welcome to jog it, walk it or wheel it. We don’t mind how you do it, just as long as you do it.”