Junior Parkrun is bankrolled by Preston City Council

Looking down on Parkrun runners in Avenham Park Pic: Lynn Brown

Youngsters in Preston are going to be encouraged to get their trainers on in a junior version of Parkrun.

Following the success of the Parkrun model across the world, Preston City Council has approved the funding alongside a grant for a new community garden.

The Innovation Fund was launched by the city council in summer last year to support groups who wanted to make changes in their area, with £22,000 set aside.

Ideas to the fund needed to be supported by a councillor.

Backed by town centre councillor Salim Desai the junior parkrun has been awarded £3,000. Parkruns encourage healthy activity using local green spaces, with the Preston parkrun attracting hundreds of runners each Saturday morning to Avenham Park.

The Fund has also given £1,130 to Preston trampoline club for their community garden, an idea backed by council leader councillor Peter Rankin.

Cabinet member for resources councillor Martyn Rawlinson said: “Both bids matched the criteria for the scheme, which was to encourage Councillors to work with groups in their community to create new schemes that would be sustainable beyond the initial funding.

“In a time when resources are tight, we need to encourage community activity that will benefit the people of Preston for years to come without putting further strain on public funds.”

Cabinet member for social justice, inclusion and policy councillor Matthew Brown said: “We have now funded half a dozen brand new community projects that will hopefully continue to bring people together for supportive, creative and healthy activities around Preston for years to come. While funds are tight, we still want to be able to reward communities for their ideas, energy and efforts to make Preston more inclusive.”

The fund is now closed and the scheme will be evaluated before deciding whether it can be repeated.

What do you think of the grants? Will your kids take place in a junior parkrun? Let us know in the comments below