Statement by Jason Lovett .
My son goes to New Ark preschool, it is a very unique setting that offers many services and benefits from having its own farm. As with so many COVID is hitting them hard. As a charity they rely heavily on fundraising events to boost their income for the daily running of all the services and welfare of all the animals. Having to cancel most of last year’s events and going into this year in lock down has had a massive impact on them so I’ve decided to do a sponsored event to help support them. I will be doing a duathlon on Saturday 6th March 2021, we had hoped to be able to do this at New Ark so people were welcome to come down and visit but due to current restrictions this isn’t possible so instead I will be doing it from my home gym . I will run 15 miles on my treadmill and then do a 30km ride on my exercise bike followed by a further 10 mile run on the treadmill. New Ark has helped and supported my son, who due to the first lock down was delayed in being able to start preschool and not only that , wasn’t able to go toddler groups, play centres and even parks to develop the much needed social skills that young children need to learn before school . I think we are yet to see the full impact COVID and lock down has on the younger generation that rely on this preschool stage to form friendships and they will face some social disadvantages. That is why I’m hoping to raise enough funds to support New Ark with their aim of setting up a sensory space that all the children can enjoy but to help the children that might find all that is happening in the world a little overwhelming and also to help to cover the many of £1000’s they have lost from the cancelled events. It would be amazing to raise enough so that New Ark are able to continue to offer support to other families and children that need the help like we did .
The duathlon will be completed by Jason Lovett . Photo and videos on the day will be posted to New Ark’s Facebook page .
