Racing Ahead with Subway® and Helping Hearts

5th August 2018 Uncategorised

The Subway® Helping Hearts™ Family 5K race in Edinburgh was more than just a race. It really was a day out for the whole family but one for a great cause. Founded in 1967, Heart Research UK is a visionary charity which provides ground-breaking medical research. Partnered with Subway® for the last 10 years, these two organisations work together to provide Healthy Heart Grants. Supported by fundraising in Subway® stores and through the nationwide Subway® Helping Hearts™ Family 5Ks, these grands fund original and innovative projects that actively promote Heart Health and help to prevent, or reduce, the risk of heart disease near you.

When we were asked along to the Edinburgh 5k race while we were visiting the city, we were keen to go along and support this great event and cheer on Edinburgh Life with Kids who was running the race with her daughter.

We were so pleased that we went along as it was so much more than ‘just’ a race. With a ‘Field of Fresh’ inflatable obstacle course which could be enjoyed by everyone as well as games, music and free face painting; there was something for the whole family to enjoy for a fun filled day. Add in the fact that the NFL Flag programme presented by Subway® was set up so that children could try out NFL Flag for themselves, there was plenty to keep us entertained.

WHAT IS NFL FLAG?

Basically, NFL Flag is the non-contact version of American football which gives children aged 8-11 the chance to experience the sport.  In fact, it’s the fastest growing sport in the UK and Ireland. Built in a 6-12-week curriculum, NFL Flag teaches the fundamentals of American football. It does so much more than that though as it also promotes the importance of eating healthy and being active. I love the NFL core values of respect, integrity and responsibility and love that NFL Flag works to improve nutritional knowledge, emphasise the importance of getting active, as well as actually teaching children to play the sport.

Sadly, my two were too little to take part in the demonstrations in Edinburgh as participation started at 5 years of age, but it looked like it was so much fun as all the kids who were getting involved looked to be having the best time.

Currently operating in eight cities – London, Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, Bristol, Gloucester, Peterborough and Cardiff – there are currently plans to roll out NFL Flag to more UK locations, including Scotland as well as to the Republic of Ireland very shortly!

HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED

Well, first of all you can check out the Heart Research website to sign up for future Subway® Helping Hearts™ Family 5K races. There are events coming up in Belfast, Birmingham and Maidstone over the summer, so make sure you sign up. You get your very own participant t-shirt, Subway winners lunch and finishers’ medal not to mention a fun family day out. All sponsorship money raised helps fund the Heart Research UK and Subway Healthy Heart Grant scheme; an initiative providing up to £10,000 each to local projects throughout the UK that  promote a heart healthy lifestyle in their local communities.

If a fun run isn’t your thing and you would prefer a little NFL Flag instead, then you can send this link to your child’s school and ask them to register their interest. Over 10,000 kids in the UK have already taken part in the NFL Flag programme presented by Subway®; it’s an up and coming sport in the UK and this is your chance to get your community involved. 

Alternatively, Subway® always have great offers on so be sure to check out their latest Kids Pak in stores now. And don’t forget to look out for an NFL themed Kids Pak coming in September!

DISCLOSURE: this is a collaborative post in partnership with Subway®. Thank you for supporting the posts which make this blog possible.