A GROUP of athletes who practice free running have visited a specialist London park designed specifically for their sport.
The Ellesmere Port and Cheshire Parkour Collective was delighted to hear it had been shortlisted for the Independent Academic Research Studies (IARS) Partnership Award after being nominated by Cheshire West and Chester Council.
So with a little help from councillors Pat Merrick, Lynn Clare, Mark Henesy, Diane Roberts, Nicole Meardon, Justin Madders, Paul Donovan and Angela Claydon, through the member grant budgets, four members of the group were able to attend the awards ceremony in London, and got to visit a purpose-built Parkour facility.
The sport, in which participants move through their environment by vaulting, rolling, free running, climbing or leaping, is becoming more and more popular across the world.
And the group has been consulting with residents on plans to develop a purpose-built park in Ellesmere Port for the past year.
It has also been undertaking a series of events across the town over the past year, and looking to speak to residents to let them know about the sport and the group’s plans for the future.
Parkour Collective member Craig McNeil said: “We were really happy to be nominated for this award and even though we didn’t win it was a great opportunity to see how other young people are making a difference in their communities.
“The support we have received so far from the council and the community has been fantastic and has really helped us to head the group in the right direction while we work to create a facility in Ellesmere Port.
“We now need to keep up our work to engage with more people, gain more support and continue our positive work within the community.”
