Westholme, Alexandra Road,

Penzance, Cornwall, TR18 4LY

Tel: 01736 331961 Email: [email protected]

News Categories
News Archives
News & Fixtures

All the Latest News & Fixtures...

The ‘A Million Metres’ Challenge

Posted: May 6, 2021
Categories:
News Categories
News Archives

The ‘A Million Metres’ Challenge

Runners Smash Their Target!

As planned, Cornish Pirates’ Team Manager Matt Evans and Assistant Coach Matt Jess, who both enjoyed successful playing careers, during April participated in a unique ‘A Million Metres’ challenge fundraiser.

Supasport SW C.I.C. in partnership with the Cornish Pirates and Truro City FC organised this exciting fundraising campaign on behalf and in partnership with Sport Cornwall Foundation.

Matt and Matt were joined in this impressive challenge by Truro City FC’s player and Assistant Manager Stewart Yetton, plus Supasport SW C.I.C.’s Managing Director Jamie Thomson, Director Dan Stidwell and Lead Coach Martyn Webster.

Pictured at Gunwalloe, finishing his final run Jamie Thomson celebrates completion of the challenge.

The aim was to run a combined 1,000,000 metres over the course of the month, with each having to run seven kilometres every day for 30 days consecutively to achieve their target. Well, together they actually ended up smashing their aim by collectively running 107 hours and a collective distance of 1,551,150 metres – Fantastic!

With a combination of discipline and determination the truly admirable participants undertook their daily runs not only to raise the profile of and benefit Sport Cornwall but to also secure funds that can then be used to deliver free sporting services to the people of Cornwall.

One of these services is Sport 4 More that will be available to Cornish residents. Sport 4 More is a style of sports delivery that Supasport SW C.I.C. are known for which uses their style of delivery to show how sport and exercise can be used to teach and help people work on key self-development themes and life skills. This has been seen in the work they have done previously in the form of P.E. lessons in schools, the Who Dares Works programme led by Active Plus, and via Social Prescribing, where GPs can offer a place on a Sport 4 More course in place of or alongside a traditional prescription.

The challenge has raised over £2,800 so far, with sincere thanks expressed to everyone who has donated. This response will help towards enabling more families, adults and children across Cornwall to access sport or exercise and experience the benefits of an active lifestyle.

Donations are still sought and can be made by using the following ‘Just Giving’ link:

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/1million-metres

At the end of the challenge, besides expressing thanks both to his fellow runners and everyone who has made donations, Jamie commented:

More than the money raised, it has been about showing the positive benefits of sports and any type of physical activity on your mental health and wellbeing.

Sports is a great way to deal with mental health issues without having to take prescription drugs.

When you do some physical activity, you feel better not only physically but mentally and that’s what this challenge has been all about.

Matt Evans agreed, adding:

It doesn’t matter what physical activity you do. It’s about being active. It’s about changing your habits and feeling good for the rest of the day. Going for a run, a walk or whatever helps you clear your head to then face the day ahead.

Stewart Yetton also said:

During these tough and testing times, it clearly helps for people to talk about how they feel, so if you are feeling low and are able then make an effort to get out there, whether it be walking, running, or whatever form of exercise.

At times in the challenge I was felt tested but with the messages received, including from my brilliantly inspirational running colleagues, it gave me the lift and determination to keep going for what is such a worthy cause.

Recent News: Community News