April 2016

CHANGING LIVES ONE STEP AT A TIME

From the beauty of Snowdonia, the tranquillity of mid Wales and ruggedness of the Brecon Beacons, to the bustle of Cardiff, StreetGames Wales Manager, Paul ‘Robbo’ Roberts will be getting a close up view of all of these when he runs from North to South Wales to raise funds for young people living in areas of deprivation.

Starting 10 June at The Promenade in Colwyn Bay, North Walesand finishing five and a half days and 186.86 miles later at Gate 3 ofThe Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Robbo will be running through the pain barrier to raise£30,000 so StreetGames and its partners can host a free multisport festival for disadvantaged young people from across Wales.

The festival of sport will take place at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, 11 August 2016and will provide free sporting opportunities to 2,000 young people whom otherwise wouldn’t get the chance.

Commenting on the run and the festival it is looking to support, Robbo said: “I decided to do this challenge because we need to fundraise for the event in August at the Principality Stadium. If we can put this event on, over 2,000 young people will undoubtedly have an awesome time, playing sport in their national stadium. What an experience for them. Many of the kids living in some of Wales’ most deprived communities, may never get the chance to visit their national stadium, let alone play some sport in it, so we want to make this happen”

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“It’s a bit of a crazy challenge but weirdly I’m looking forward to it. I think I’m preparing myself well but there’s only one way to find out! We’re having fun preparing for the challenge – I’ve already had plenty of jokes comparing me to the likes of Tom Hanks in Forest Gump and Simon Pegg in Run Fatboy Run! It’s important to me that the challenge is enjoyable and something that anyone can get behind, so if anyone fancies joining me for part (or all) of the run, get in touch.”

Research from Poverty & Social Exclusion, 2013 and Barnado’s 2014 suggests that the majority of young people living in Wales’ poorest communities will never get to visit their national stadium, see a major sporting event, watch their national team compete or get to support their local team in a live capacity. The research also shows that a large number of families living in these deprived areas lack the opportunity for a day trip with their peers and families due to financial barriers. Money raised from my run aims to put this right.”

During the festival, attendeeswill be able to take part in over 40 different activities ranging from Zorbing, Street Dance andSkateboarding to Street Golf and Freerunning. There will also be the opportunity tomeet a variety of Wales’ sporting heroes.

By providing a multisport event at the Principality Stadium, StreetGames is giving disadvantaged young peoplea day out at their national stadium and with the support of their project, the chance to make sport and physical activity a normal part of their everyday lives.

If you would like to Run with Robbo, or support his fundraising efforts, e-mail Rachel Jones at or call 07943 094015.

Visit text ‘RRRN16 £AMOUNT to 70070 to make a donationnow and help Robbo reach his target to take 2,000 young people to their National Stadium.

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Notes to Editors:

  • StreetGames ( is an award-winning national sports charity supported by The Welsh Government, Sport Wales, and a number of commercial partners to increase sport and physical activity across all Communities 1st clusters in Wales.
  • It helps makes sport accessible to young people living in areas of high deprivation across the UK. Its delivery method is Doorstep sportthe 5 Rights – right time, right price, right place and right style with the right people
  • The aim of each StreetGames project is for sport and physical activity to be sustainable and become part of the fabric of the community. This leads tostronger and safer communities, a championing ofsocial action and volunteering, aswell asimproved health and wellbeing
  • StreetGames is a lead agency for trying to ensure increased participation in sport from Black Minority and Ethnic (BME) communities in Wales
  • Communities First is the Welsh Government’s flagship programme set up throughout Wales in 2001 to be active in areas which are in the top 10% of social deprivation; according to the Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation (WIMD)