A group of GPs from Bury put their best foot forward at the Burrs Community Run on Sunday 17 May, championing healthier and more active lifestyles in the local community.
Team members from Tower Family Healthcare joined local people for the weekly 2km or 5km, run, jog or walk circuit at Burrs Country Park, organised by The Sunnywood Project.
Tower Family Healthcare, a GP practice operating across four sites in Bury, is signed up to the Royal College of General Practitioners’ Active Practice Charter.
The Charter encourages practices to support staff and patients to move more and adopt healthier lifestyles. Taking part in the run helped to launch the team’s commitment to being an Active Practice.
Learn more about Active Practices in GM
Movement plays an important role in both physical and emotional wellbeing, with small, achievable changes making a genuine difference.
Research shows that regular exercise can reduce the risk of major illnesses including coronary heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and cancer.
Dr. Ajay Kotegaonkar, is one of the GPs who took part in the run, said:
“As clinicians, we talk every day about the importance of movement for physical and mental wellbeing. If we are encouraging our patients to be more active, then we need to do this alongside them.
“By taking part in the Burrs Community Run, we are not just encouraging activity – we are living it alongside our community. We loved spending time at Burrs, chatting with local people, and showing that moving more can be both social and enjoyable.”
A total of 12 Partners from the practice took part in the run, including 10 GPs, a Pharmacist and the practice’s Managing Partner. Whilst this was by no means a race, the first from the team across the 5km line was Dr. Ash Boodhun with a time of 23 minutes and 9 seconds.
The practice also made a donation to The Sunnywood Project to support the team’s ongoing work to improve community wellbeing through accessible and enjoyable activities for local people.
Lou Shield, Youth & Community Engagement Manager at The Sunnywood Project said:
“It was an absolute pleasure to welcome Tower Family Healthcare down to Burrs Country Park to take part in our Community Run and to share more about the impact of The Sunnywood Project.
“The event has been going for over 11 years now and has benefitted thousands of people across our community with the help of our incredible team of volunteers, who continue to give their time to support others. To see Tower staff coming along, getting active, cheering each other on and being just a little bit competitive was fantastic.
“We are very much looking forward to supporting them as they continue on this journey to share good practice with their staff, patients and wider community, while helping more people discover the positive community support offered through The Sunnywood Project.”
Lee Buggie, Bury Council’s Public Health Specialist added:
“It’s brilliant to see Tower Family Healthcare leading by example, making it easier for patients and staff to move more in everyday life. Small nudges like this can make a big difference, helping turn physical activity into something normal, social and achievable for everyone.”
Photograph features Partners from Tower Family Healthcare, alongside Lou Shield from The Sunnywood Project, and Lee Buggie from Bury Council’s Public Health team.
