Lichfield youngsters urged to ‘give triathlon a tri’ as free event returns following last year’s success

Posted by james brindle | Published: 02/04/2019


Central England Co-op has again joined forces with the Triathlon Trust to help 1,000 Lichfield youngsters get fit and active after last year’s Staffordshire Mini Tri proved a massive hit.

The Society, which has its headquarters in Lichfield as well as two Food Stores, is hosting the event on Thursday, 20 June for boys and girls in years three to seven, including those with disabilities and special educational needs.

The Staffordshire Mini Tri is being held at Burntwood Leisure Centre where the youngsters will be able to take on the challenge of a 75m swim, a 1km bike ride and a 500m run.

Whether a budding Brownlee brother or not, the mini triathlon is most importantly a fun event and non-competitive, with the focus on each child completing their own personal challenge and having a good time.

James Knight, Member and Community Relations Officer at Central England Co-op, said: “It is fantastic to be able to support this great event for a second year running and we hope that 1,000 youngsters from across the city will be able take part, have great fun and keep fit.

“At Central England Co-op, we are proud to be a responsible retailer that looks to work with young children and their parents to highlight the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.

“The mini-triathlon has proven to be a great way to get youngsters to think about being healthy and keeping active, while also being hugely enjoyable for the children taking part.”

The event is run in partnership with the Triathlon Trust, the official charity of British Triathlon.

Mike Jubb, Chief Executive of the Triathlon Trust, said: “We are extremely proud to be working with Central England Co-op again on this fun, free and exclusive way for children in years three to seven to experience all three aspects of triathlon in a safe environment.

“We provide the bikes, (scooters for non-cyclists) and helmets, and every child receives a medal when they cross the finish line.

“Triathlon offers something for everyone and we encourage schools to bring their whole class, even the non-swimmers and those who cannot ride a bike.

“We also welcome youngsters with physical disabilities or special educational needs and will work with schools to give these children the best experience possible.

“We cannot wait to welcome hundreds of youngsters to this event and to work with Central England Co-op to offer the opportunity to give triathlon a ‘tri’.”

Parents who would like their children to take part are urged to book a space online at www.triathlontrust.org

Anyone interested in volunteering can register their interest by applying online or emailing volunteer@triathlontrust.org

 

Notes to editors

About Central England Co-operative

Central England Co-operative is one of the largest independent retail co-operative societies in the UK. 

It is a modern, forward-looking organisation employing over 8,000 staff, with the Society’s principal areas of activity being food, funeral services, travel shops, and property investment.

Central England Co-operative has over 400 trading outlets across 16 counties including; West Midlands, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Staffordshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Rutland, Nottinghamshire, Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire, West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, Suffolk, Norfolk, Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire.  The Society has an ambitious food store development programme for 2019.

Central England Co-operative is proud of its reputation for ethical business practices and corporate responsibility.  It is a member of Business in the Community, the membership organisation that stands for responsible business, and has also won many business awards for excellence.  The Society supports a number of charities including Dementia UK and invests a percentage of its trading profit into local communities.

Becoming a member of Central England Co-operative offers a whole host of benefits ranging from collecting points every time you spend in store to earn a share of the profits, access to members activities and community initiatives including the Community Dividend Fund, which hands out grants of up to £5,000 to charities and good causes across the Society’s trading estate.

Find out how to become a Central England Co-operative member by calling 0800 0501 601, emailing members@centralengland.coop or visiting https://www.members.coop

For more information visit www.centralengland.coop, follow Central England Co-operative on Twitter: @mycoopfood, and on Facebook: facebook.com/centralenglandcooperative

Rob Smyth and James Brindle at Central England Co-operative on 01543 421390

Email – publicrelations@centralengland.coop