PERSONAL BEST FOUNDATION AND ENGLAND ATHLETICS ANNOUNCE NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH CITROEN AS 73% OF PARENTS SAY THEIR KIDS DON’T GET RECOMMENDED LEVELS OF EXERCISE.
This partnership marks such a exciting milestone for the Personal Best Foundation. The Foundation launched in November 2022, with the mission to provide children and young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and underserved communities with the opportunity to participate and achieve their personal best, breaking down social inequalities and improving their physical, mental and social health and well-being.
Today, at Sowe Valley Primary School in Coventry, a group of 30 children had the opportunity to take part in a funetics session with Team GB Paralympian and Personal Best Foundation Ambassador Hannah Cockroft CBE! They also had the chance to have a go at wheelchair racing. During the session a group of year 4 children played games based on run, jump throw skills nutty squirrels! There was lots of enjoyment and smiling faces!
The partnership comes on the back of research by Citroën to parents that found, on average, British children spend 4.75 hours a week exercising, while the Chief Medical Officers recommend at least 60 minutes every day.
All three organisations share a belief that athletics has the power to change lives and by teaming up to deliver a school’s athletics programme to underserved communities as well as supporting the next generation of emerging talent, they can create real, lasting opportunities for young people to thrive, both in the sport and in life.
According to Sport England’s annual Active Lives survey 2023/24, only 47% of children are meeting the UK’s Chief Medical Officer’s recommended daily activity levels**, with children from low-income families and underserved communities the least likely to be active. According to Citroen’s own research, it found that a lack of time and interest were cited by over a third of parents as the main barriers to getting their children to exercise.
Around one in eight toddlers and primary school-aged children in England are categorised as obese. In year 6, the prevalence of obesity alone in children is 22.7% and for those living in the most deprived areas this increases to 30.2%. *** The UK has some of the poorest child mental health outcomes globally, with the cost of living crisis further limiting opportunities for physical activity.
Inequality and poverty put the opportunity for organised exercise and activity beyond the reach of around 4 million children and young people across the UK. The partnership between Citroën, England Athletics and Personal Best Foundation will help to change this, as initially 15 primary schools - prioritising those with the greatest need and children most at risk of inactivity - in Coventry, Warwickshire and Ellesmere Port, close to Citroen Headquarters will benefit from free weekly after-school athletics programmes. In addition, free training for the teachers in the schools will allow the programme to be continued and ensure that running, jumping and throwing have a place in the curriculum.
The partnership will also support young up and coming athletes in England through England Athletics’ National and Age group championships and its Talent Pathway Programme, which aims to help gifted young athletes progress to be the international athletics stars of the future.
England Athletics, Chief Executive Officer, Chris Jones, said:
“We are proud to welcome Citroën into the England Athletics family. This partnership supports our shared commitment to sustainability and making athletics more accessible for young people. Through our Personal Best Foundation, Citroën’s support will help young people in schools across England experience athletics and will open the doors of opportunity for some of the most disadvantaged children and young people in England. Citroen’s backing of our national events and talent programmes - supported by Citroen’s electric vehicles - aligns with our drive for a more sustainable future and our approach to encourage our network of athletes and clubs to adopt more sustainable practices.”
Chris Theobold, Sales and Operations Director, Citroën UK, added:
“We’re proud that our partnership with England Athletics will give young people access to sport and exercise, help improve young people’s lives and offer support to the next generation of talent. The statistics on childhood inactivity and health is very concerning and we are very happy to be able to make running, jumping and throwing more accessible, just as we are making electric vehicles accessible to all. In partnering with England Athletics and its official charity, we believe we can help make a difference and give school children in some of the country’s less fortunate areas the chance to enjoy the benefits of athletics, be active and have fun. Whilst also supporting elite talent on the pathway to success.”
Hannah Cockroft CBE, Personal Best Foundation Ambassador and England Athletics Sustainability Ambassador, said:
“It’s fantastic to be part of this exciting new partnership between England Athletics, the Personal Best Foundation, and Citroën. It was a privilege to meet the school children today and see first-hand how powerful sport can be in changing lives and helping young people discover what they are truly capable of. I passionately believe that every young person should have the access and the opportunities to experience the physical and mental benefits of sport irrespective of their background or personal circumstances. It’s also great to see a partnership with a real commitment to sustainability, promoting a healthier, more active, and more responsible future.”