Local runner looks to launch junior parkrun in Westbury

A Westbury runner has started work to bring a junior parkrun to the town, with volunteers being sought to help launch the free weekly event. 

Jessica George is hoping to establish the 2km timed run for young people aged between 4 and 14 at Penleigh Park. 

Jessica, who has six children, currently travels to Melksham every Sunday for her daughter to take part in the junior parkrun there. She hopes bringing the event to Westbury will encourage more people to visit the town and use the park, which has recently benefited from a new path constructed by Westbury Town Council. 

“I’m just a massive advocate for Westbury,” said Jessica. “We have so much stuff, it gets such a bad rap in comparison to other Wiltshire towns, but we actually have a lot of great stuff on our doorstep. I think we can put Westbury on the map a bit by having something like parkrun. We spent all that money on improving the park, so let’s use it!” 

Jessica works full time as a paediatric occupational therapist and is also a councillor at Westbury Town Council. She said she wants to be an advocate for young people in Westbury and improve access to wellbeing and exercise opportunities. 

She said, “I joined the council because, having my own children, I massively want to be the mouthpiece of the youth, and obviously being an occupational therapist, a lot of my drive comes from wellbeing and being out and exercising, moving your body, being in the outdoors.” 

She is now looking for volunteers who can commit to helping at the event every Sunday morning. Roles could include marshalling, timekeeping and photography. 

“The main thing is just help setting up,” said Jessica. “To be honest I marshal every Sunday, because I’m taking my daughter anyway. I can just turn up, and you’re literally just putting on a high-viz and cheering on the kids from the sidelines, it’s an easier thing to do than people think.” 

Once Jessica has secured a core team of volunteers, she will apply to local organisations for funding to cover equipment and other costs before the event can officially launch. 

For more information or to join the volunteer team, contact Jessica at jessicalouise-george@hotmail.com.