As part of our ongoing partnership with Virgin Active, Active Inspiration Week took place from 11 to 17 July with clubs up and down the country raising money to help get children active. Not ones to shy away from a challenge, Virgin Active members ran, zumba'd, swam, danced and ate cake to raise money for the Youth Sport Trust. There was kid’s anti-gravity yoga, face painting, male waxing and triathlon challenges too!
Youth Sport Trust athlete mentors also got involved. Former GB boxer and European medallist, Hannah Beharry, dropped in at the West London club and was put through her paces in the high intensity ‘Grid’ class, followed by a game of dodgeball with junior members. Former international hockey player and Commonwealth Games medallist, Charlotte Hartley, visited the Lancashire club and took part in spin cycling and tennis with young members. And former badminton player and Commonwealth and European medallist, Jenny Wallwork, visited the Leeds club and took on an extreme gym floor challenge with members.
The week culminated in an Open Weekend with Virgin Active clubs opening their doors to non-members for just a £5 donation. The week alone raised £17,500 which will go straight to Active Crew Club, Youth Sport Trust's and Virgin Active's programme to promote fun physical activity to disadvantaged children in primary schools.
Helen Vost, Fundraising Director at the Youth Sport Trust, said:
We are hugely grateful to all the Virgin Active Clubs who participated in Active Inspiration Week to raise money for Active Crew Club. We are living in an age where children are predicted shorter life expectancies than their parents. It is so important that we inspire children from an early age to be physically active and adopt healthy lifestyles.
To find out more about Virgin Active Inspiration click here.