Pictured above: Bethany Shaw (7) and Mitchell McCreadie (12)
with Firefighters Terry Draper and Bob Hackett from Perry
Barr Firestation
The race was on to promote a healthier lifestyle when 200 people
turned out in force for the annual Wyrley Birch Fun Run.
Witton Lakes in Erdington came to life as young and old gathered
to support the community event organised by the Wyrley Birch
Neighbourhood Forum and Play Workers.
Children, parents and grandparents enjoyed a variety of
activities including a three-legged race, four-aside football
tournament, giant slide, sumo wrestling and a bouncy castle.
Enta, one of Birmingham's leading training organisations, and
it's Lakeside Children's and Family Learning Centre which operates
as a social enterprise, helped host the event on Saturday in
partnership with the Wyrley Birch Neighbourhood Forum and community
Play Workers.
As runners put their best foot forward to raise cash for
charity, there was plenty to keep spectators occupied.
Enta staff were on hand with health and career advice and the
Aquarius drug and alcohol outreach team met members of the
community.
Local residents were encouraged to relax with an Indian head,
back or shoulder massage from Sole to Soul Holistic Therapists, and
Lakeside's resident chef prepared a variety of healthy homemade
soups which were enjoyed by all.
Geraldine Dowling, Lakeside Manager, said: "It was a lovely day
that was organised and enjoyed by the whole community - more than
200 people got involved.
"As well as giving local people the chance to get to know each
other better, the wide variety of activities on offer promoted a
healthier lifestyle which is important for everyone.
"We also managed to raise over £500 which will be split
between our senior citizen group - the Recycled Teenagers - and a
holiday play scheme for children living on the estate."
Sylvia Scott, chair of the Wyrley Birch Neighbourhood Forum,
thanked everyone for making the event such a success, and volunteer
Play Workers praised Lakeside for its support.
The community centre, which opened in 2006, is home to a
children's nursery, a cyber café, and a selection of
multi-use rooms that are available for hire.
It also offers a variety of services including free careers
advice and guidance, training courses, job clubs, a senior citizens
group, sexual health drop-in, drug awareness sessions, weekly Stay
and Play classes, toy library, ante-natal and post-natal support
and community health services.