London Bangla A Force for the community…
Show off your stripes this spring by signing up for the National Literacy Trust’s annual Where’s Wally? Fun Run event
Event: Where’s Wally? Fun Run
Date: 9am, Sunday 26 March 2023
Venue: Battersea Park, London
Length: 5k, 10k or 1k for under 12s
Price: £15 per child and £20 per adult
To register: literacytrust.org.uk/whereswally
On Sunday 26 March 2023, hundreds of runners, families, and book lovers will descend on Battersea Park for the Where’s Wally? Fun Run, raising money for the National Literacy Trust – back in person for the first time in three years!
Celebrating its tenth anniversary year, the Where’s Wally? Fun Run is a race like no other. Every runner taking part will be dressed up as beloved fictional character Where’s Wally, creating a sight to behold on race day as a sea of Wallys takes on a 10km, 5km, or a 1km challenge for kids, in one of London’s most scenic parks.
The race is fun for all the family (including furry friends!) and perfect for everyone from casual runners, families walking together, or serious runners looking for a not-so-serious challenge ahead of the London Marathon. Once registered, all runners will be able to order their free Where’s Wally? costume for the Fun Run, complete with the iconic glasses and bobble hat. Furthermore, every ‘Wally’ taking part will also receive a collectable medal on completion of the race. Participants can share their efforts on social media by using the hashtag #whereswallyfunrun and tagging the National Literacy Trust @literacy_trust.
The Where’s Wally? Fun Run is a fantastic way to support the vital work of the National Literacy Trust. All the money raised from the Fun Run will directly support children from economically disadvantaged areas in the UK in their reading, writing, and communication skills.
One of the projects the Fun Run could fund is the Young Readers Programme, which works with children from disadvantaged areas to help them develop a love of books and a reading identity. It delivers fun, engaging events and activities focused on reading enjoyment and book choice. Year 5 pupil Harley recently took part in the programme and admitted that his way of reading books had changed as a result. He said, “I didn’t really like reading before and now I’ve started to like it.” His classmate Lena said she “had never seen that many books” in one place and that being able to choose a book that she thought she’d enjoy made her feel happy.
Funding for National Literacy Trust programmes like this one is more important than ever as the UK currently finds itself in a national education crisis. Over a quarter of children are leaving primary school without being able read at the expected level, which will have a huge knock-on effect for the rest of their lives. The Where’s Wally? Fun Run and accompanying fundraising efforts will support the National Literacy Trust to continue its mission, and offer those taking part a chance to have fun being a Wally for the day.
Jonathan Douglas CBE, Chief Executive of the National Literacy Trust, said: “In its tenth anniversary year, I am looking forward to seeing hundreds of Wallys walking, jogging and running around Battersea Park in all their red and white striped glory in aid of our charity. Every single runner taking part will help our mission to change the life stories of disadvantaged children in the UK.”
“All the money raised from the Where’s Wally? Fun Run will go towards the National Literacy Trust’s vital work to help children across the UK who most need literacy support, because improving literacy skills leads to success at school, better job opportunities, economic success, better mental wellbeing, and a longer life expectancy”.
“Thank you to everyone who has already signed up to the Fun Run – I can’t wait to spot all the other Wallys on race day. To those still thinking about it, take a chance on Wally, and let’s change a young person’s life story together.”
Find out more and register for the 2023 Where’s Wally? Fun Run, click HERE.
