A COMMUNITY sports programme which aims to fulfil Steve Prescott’s wish to get St Helens more active has thrown its weight behind this weekend’s GPW Recruitment St Helens 10k.

The Community Sports Project, funded through Sport England, aims to get 4,000 people more active over the next three years and offers the chance for local groups and clubs to work with trained Sports Activators for free.

And part of the initiative, supported by boxer Martin Murray, is to support the hugely successful 10k run, with this year’s event taking place on Sunday.

The activators will support and help deliver new sessions that are fun, social and friendly – from jogging and cycling, to touch rugby, masters football and multi-sports .

James Thompson, one of three Sports Activators involved in the project, said: “Whether you’re a complete beginner or have had a break from sport due to age or injuries, there’s a session for you – and if not, we can look to see if we can set one up.

“It’s a great way of attracting more people to your club, widening your networks, and engaging with parents or older ex-members.

“We see the 10k run as a perfect event to change people’s lives for the better, a number of our participants have developed their confidence during our community sport sessions and are now running the 10k for the first time.”

Martin Blondel, general manager of the Steve Prescott Foundation, organisers of the 10k, added: “It was Steve Prescott’s wish to get this great town fit and active.

“We are thrilled to be working alongside the new Sports Activators and look forward to supporting all their initiatives.”

For more information visit: www.sthelens.gov.uk/communitysport or contact Gemma Webster on 01744 675403, e-mail gemmawebster@sthelens.gov.uk.