An Islington initiative is encouraging children to go the extra two kilometres with a new fundraising summer challenge.
Run Kids Run held its first socially-distanced event on June 27 and 28, in which 400 children ran two kilometre around Highbury Fields, Thornhill Square, Arundel Square, St Mary Magdalene Gardens and Caledonian Park.
Schools in Islington which took part include Thornhill Primary School, Canonbury Primary School, Drayton Park Primary School, Laycock Primary School and St Mary Magdalene Academy.
READ MORE: Islington youngsters impress at Mini MarathonThey each renamed the event to reflect their own brand - for example, Run Thornhill Run.
It raised £40,000 in total for Run Kids Run, which will distribute the funds to the particular school it was raised for.
Third Space contributed warm up and stretching videos before the event, and former Sky Sports presenter Theodore Slotover, also known as Ted Kravitz, hosted the event.
Emily Bohill, founder of Run Kids Run, said: “Running has huge mental health benefits and we hope that the Run Kids Run initiative will give hope within our community during these challenging times.”
Run Kids Run started at Thornhill Primary School three years ago and, with the help of sponsorship from Islington Square, is in the processing of registering as a charity.
Following the event, Emily is now asking children to 2km, donate £2 and then nominate friends.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here