Boots & British Gymnastics Launch Jump Challenge

Boots UK is partnering with British Gymnastics, who won Governing Body of the Year at the BT Sport Industry Awards 2016, to launch its new Jump for Pudsey campaign to help inspire the nation to get more active and support disadvantaged children across the UK.

Boots UK is challenging children and their families to do one million jumps for Pudsey; turning jumps into pounds to raise money for BBC Children in Need.

The new national fundraising campaign launched in Boots stores on 22^nd October 2016, with its main ‘Jump Day’ taking place yesterday (Wednesday 26^th October). However, Boots UK is inviting children and families across the country to do as many jumps as possible throughout the week at organised in-store events, at home, or with their friends, and track the progress of their challenge through the online Jump Totaliser.

Helping reach the one million jumps will be thousands of gymnasts from up and down the country, who are staging Jump for Pudsey challenges through British Gymnastics registered clubs and leisure centres.   

The funds raised through Jump for Pudsey will help BBC Children in Need fund projects which support disadvantaged children and young people in the UK, including a number focusing on improvements to physical wellbeing.

This is the 13th year that Boots UK has been a charity partner for BBC Children in Need.

Una Kent, director of communications and CSR, Boots UK commented: “In the UK today, one in three children are leaving primary school overweight or obese, with a higher number in disadvantaged communities^. and half of seven year olds aren’t getting the daily recommended amount of exercise. 

“Through our social mission we are committed to helping all young people to live happier and healthier lives, and as part of this work we are delighted to be launching Jump for Pudsey. We know that it can be really hard to inspire children to be more active but with British Gymnastics, we hope to get the nation jumping to raise important funds for BBC Children in Need. Jump for Pudsey is all about connecting people though a really accessible activity-based fundraising campaign in the heart of their local communities.”

Jane Allen, CEO, British Gymnastics commented: “We are proud to partner with Boots UK on such a worthwhile campaign. Jump for Pudsey for BBC Children in Need will see gymnastic clubs and communities in the UK leaping, hopping, jumping and bouncing their way to draw attention to this great campaign and raise money for this important charity.

“Like Boots UK, we believe in wellbeing and the many physical and social benefits of active lifestyles. We are therefore delighted to join forces to inspire gymnasts, clubs and wider communities to jump and raise money for BBC Children in Need. Our organisations align well and there are many parallels not least active communities being a focus for us both. We’re excited about this new partnership and look forward to it developing as we move forward.”

Jonathan Rigby, director of marketing and fundraising, BBC Children in Need added: “Jump for Pudsey is a first for Boots UK and BBC Children in Need, capturing the spirit of our partnership by bringing together fun, fundraising and encouraging children to get active with the support of British Gymnastics.

“Bringing the nation together to achieve something incredible is what BBC Children in Need is all about and Jump for Pudsey gives people the opportunity to get active with the aim of achieving one million jumps from across the UK. We’re proud to have been working in partnership with Boots for 13 years and happy to see them offering colleagues and customers a fun new way to fundraise.”