Health workers, MPs and Bury’s Director of Public Health joined forces in August to show that getting active can be fun, social, and accessible to everyone.
Around 50 doctors, nurses and other members of the team from Tower Family Healthcare headed to the beautiful Burrs Country Park on Sunday 23 August to take part in the weekly Burrs Community Run.
They were joined by James Frith, MP for Bury North; Christian Wakeford, MP for Bury South; and Jon Hobday, Bury’s Director of Public Health, who all took part in the family-friendly 2km and 5km walk, jog or run organised by The Sunnywood Project.
The event highlighted just one of the many opportunities available locally to get people moving, enjoy the outdoors and spend time with others – whatever their age or ability.
James Frith, Labour MP for Bury North, said:
“I was really pleased to join Tower Family Healthcare for the Burrs Community Run. Events like this are a brilliant way to bring people together and get active.
“I’ve supported The Sunnywood Project for many years, so it was great to see the team at Tower Family Healthcare getting involved and helping to make being active something that feels accessible, social and fun. Burrs is right on our doorstep, and there’s no better place to get moving.”
Christian Wakeford, Labour MP for Bury South, added:
“It was great to join Dr Ajay Kotegaonkar and the Tower Healthcare team at the Burrs Community Run last weekend helping to highlight the need to live healthy active lives. Good to see them leading the way and I hope to join them on their next activity.”
“If we are encouraging our patients to be more active, it’s important that we are willing to get involved too. Our team have really embraced what being an Active Practice is all about, looking at ways to build more movement into everyday life, and having our local MPs and public health team join us on our mission is fantastic.”
Jon Hobday, Director of Public Health for Bury, said:
“Primary care has a unique and influential role in helping people to live healthier, more active lives. Every day, GPs, nurses and practice teams have trusted conversations with residents, creating valuable opportunities to encourage physical activity as part of overall health and wellbeing.
“We are proud to be working in partnership with our local medical practices to promote outdoor activity, support Active Practice status, and champion the fantastic range of physical activity opportunities available across Bury. When healthcare professionals not only advocate for movement but also get involved in local activities themselves, it sends a powerful message that being active is for everyone.”
Lou Shield, Youth & Community Engagement Manager at The Sunnywood Project, added:
“It was fantastic to welcome Tower Family Healthcare back to Burrs, alongside our local MPs and Bury’s Director of Public Health. Seeing everyone come together to walk, jog or run really highlights what the Burrs Community Run is all about – making being active accessible, enjoyable and social.
“We’re proud to provide a free weekly event that brings the community together and promotes both physical and mental wellbeing, and it’s brilliant to have local organisations and leaders getting behind that message.”
Learn more about the Active Practice Charter in Greater Manchester and read about the benefits of exercise on the NHS website
