Off to a Bouncing Start: Kimberly Wyatt and Max Whitlock launch Boots UK’s ‘Jump for Pudsey’ BBC Children in Need Campaign
Boots UK is launching ‘Jump for Pudsey’ this half-term, 22- 29 October to raise the health and happiness of the nation, inspiring the public to get active, have fun and raise money for BBC Children in Need. Championed by health and fitness ambassadors, Pussycat Doll Kimberly Wyatt and Olympic medallist Max Whitlock, the goal is for the UK to spring its way to one million jumps; turning jumps into pounds for charity.
Whether it’s leaps, launches, bounds or hops, Boots UK is calling on people whatever their age or ability, to join in with it’s main ‘Jump Day’ on 26 October, to get jumping to raise vital funds for disadvantaged children and young people. Boots UK understands the importance of keeping fit to improve health and well-being, so during the week will be encouraging children and families across the country to do as many jumps as possible at organised in-store events, at home, or with their friends. Boots UK will also be asking people track the progress of their challenge through its Jump Totaliser*.
Helping to jump-start the campaign, celebrity mum, dancer and fitness advocate Kimberly Wyatt comments: “I’ve been dancing for over 25 years and am passionate about the many benefits of maintaining an active lifestyle. It’s well known that keeping fit plays an important role in improving health and wellbeing and is also a great way to simply have fun! I’m thrilled to support Boots UK’s Jump for Pudsey campaign, encouraging people of all ages to get active and jumping to raise as much money as possible for BBC Children in Need, making a real difference to the lives of disadvantaged children.”
Helping to reach the one million jumps will be thousands of gymnasts from up and down the country who will be taking part in Jump for Pudsey challenges being staged in British Gymnastics registered clubs and leisure centres. British Gymnastics has also created five easy jumps challenges for adults and children to do wherever they are, which can be found on boots.com and in the Jump Journal* - available free from most Boots UK stores.
British artistic gymnast and five-time Olympic winner Max Whitlock is lending his support to the campaign to get as many people jumping as possible. Max says: “I think the Jump for Pudsey campaign is a brilliant idea! It’s great to have a campaign that not only raises money for such an incredible charity but also helps people keep fit whilst having fun. Even just a small amount of exercise like jumping can make a significant difference in helping people become healthier and happier. I’m sure lots of people will enjoy taking part and I know lots of gymnasts will be joining in and challenging each other to raise as much money as possible.” Many of Max’s fellow top Olympic gymnasts will also be showing their support for Jump for Pudsey by encouraging the public to get involved.
People are being encouraged to share their leaps with #JumpForPudsey and make a donation of £3 by texting JUMP to 70313**, or via mydonate.bt.com/events/jumpforpudsey. You can also find out more at boots.com/childreninneed.
The funds raised through Jump for Pudsey will help BBC Children in Need support disadvantaged children and young people across the UK. The Charity supports 2400 projects including a number focusing on improvements to physical wellbeing, and last year alone helped tens of thousands of disadvantaged children and young people through health and sport programmes. This is the thirteenth year that Boots UK has been a charity partner for BBC Children in Need, raising a total of £8.5 million. The jumps people do will make a real difference, for example as many as 100 jumps from the public (at 1 pence per jump) could provide the funds for a young girl who has been bullied make friends at a local youth club.*
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Notes to editors:
For more information, high res images of Kimberly Wyatt, Max Whitlock or additional information, please contact the Boots UK Press Office:
Boots UK Press Office: 020 7025 6657/ BootsChildreninNeedTeam@redconsultancy.com
*Try it for yourself and see how far 1p per jump could go! These are the ways your jumps could help disadvantaged children and young people in the UK:
- 100 jumps - means a young girl who has been bullied can make friends at a local youth club (2015)
- 200 jumps - means an 11-year-old boy with autism can develop his co-ordination and confidence at a trampoline session (2014)
- 700 jumps - funds a project to help a deaf boy who has been in and out of hospital enjoy hands on activities at an outdoor survival skills day (2014)
Involve your friends/Challenge yourself/Challenge your colleagues
- 1,500 jumps - means a 12-year-old boy with learning difficulties gets to play, learn and grow in confidence at a unique football and literacy project (2015)
- 2,000 jumps - pays for a group of children living in a deprived area to have an hour of weekend football, keeping them active and healthy over winter (2014)
- 3,000 jumps - means disabled children can do an indoor surfing session, where they can have fun while improving their balance and coordination (2016)
- 25,000 jumps - pays for a cooker for a family who have previously been homeless, allowing the children to have a warm meal a day and improve their health.
Just think what a difference your jumps could make today
**Texts cost £3 plus your standard network message charge (based on your service provider rates). The whole £3 will be donated to BBC Children in Need. For full terms and conditions see Boots.com.
For more information please contact Boots UK Press Office on:
020 7025 6677or BootsChildreninNeedTeam@redconsultancy.com
About Boots UK
Boots UK (boots.com), the UK’s leading pharmacy-led health and beauty retailer, is part of the Retail Pharmacy International Division of Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc. (Nasdaq: WBA), the first global pharmacy-led, health and wellbeing enterprise. With 2,509* stores in the UK, Boots UK is committed to providing exceptional customer and patient care, be the first choice for pharmacy and healthcare and offer innovative 'only at Boots' exclusive products such as the UK’s leading skincare brand No7, all delivered with the great value customers love. Created over 165 years ago, the Boots brand is still at the heart of the communities it serves.
*As of 31 August 2016 excluding equity method investments
About BBC Children in Need
The BBC Children in Need Appeal is a charity registered in England and Wales (802052) and Scotland (SC039557) whose aim is to make a positive change to the lives of disadvantaged children and young people across the UK.
BBC Children in Need’s vision is that every child in the UK has a safe, happy and secure childhood and the chance to reach their potential. We will realise this vision by supporting, promoting and publicising work that addresses the challenges that children and young people face and work that builds their skills and resilience.
We are currently supporting 2,400 projects that are working with children facing a range of disadvantages for example, poverty and deprivation; children who have been the victims of abuse or neglect or disabled young people.
About British Gymnastics
British Gymnastics is the UK Governing Body for gymnastics. It exists to support, lead and inspire all those involved or interested in gymnastics; from creating new programmes and activities at grass roots to helping the development of top-level talent and delivering world-class events across the UK. British Gymnastics is there every step of the way, from welcoming new participants to the sport, to offering opportunities to compete at every level and perform at fun gymnastics events, competitions and/or festivals.
Visit the British Gymnastics website at www.british-gymnastics.org
Explore gymnastics and find your local club at www.DiscoverGymnastics.uk