Sun Shines As 1,300 'Run For The 96'  In Stanley Park
Photographs with thanks to Paul Francis Cooper.

RED and blues came together at the weekend to wear purple and take part in this year's 'Run For The 96'  5K to commemorate the 30th Anniversary of the Hillsborough tragedy. Chair of the Hillsborough Family Support Group (HFSG), Margaret Aspinall, led the group of special guests who along with participants came together to honour and remember 'The 96,' in Stanley Park, on Saturday, 11 May 2019.

'Run For The 96'  5K was 1st staged in April 2015 as a community legacy event and a positive way to celebrate the lives of the 96 Liverpool fans who lost their lives at Hillsborough; while remembering the families of 'The 96' and the survivors, who have tirelessly fought for justice with the utmost dignity.

This year marks 30 years since the Hillsborough Disaster, on 15 April 1989. 'Run For The 96' continues to have the support of the:- 'Hillsborough Family Support Group (HFSG).' Margaret Aspinall, Chair of the Hillsborough Family Support Group (HFSG), lost her 18 year old son James in the tragedy. She attended the event for the 5th consecutive year and handed out 5K finishers' medals. Margaret Aspinall commented:- "The support we've had yet again for 'Run For The 96'  is just tremendous. These people will always remember The 96 and that means a great deal to the families on the 30th anniversary. It's great people are raising funds at the same time as remembering The 96, giving back to the good people of this City who have supported us for all these years. And this year everyone was in the same colour purple, just brilliant. It's just so special."

Sue Roberts, Secretary of the HFSG, lost her 24 year old brother Graham at Hillsborough. Sue ran the 5K for the 5th year. Family member Steve Kelly, from the Hillsborough Justice Campaign, also took part for the 5th year with his 4 legged friend, dog Justice Jimmy. Steve lost his 38 year old brother Michael, at Hillsborough. He was joined by runners from the original Hillsborough Anfield run.

More than 1,300 participants took part in the 5th annual event in Stanley Park, appropriately located between Liverpool Football Club's Anfield Stadium and Everton Football Club's Goodison Park.  Overseas participants who travelled to take part in Stanley Park, represented the:- Czech Republic, Denmark, Gibraltar, Hong Kong, Ireland, Norway, Poland, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, and Thailand. In addition, 200 Liverpool fans across the world also took part virtually. They were sent a full race pack in advance, includes race number, T-shirt and medal; so they could also join in with the event wherever they were based. Virtual runners took part in:- Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Ireland, Isle of Man, Malaysia, Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Poland, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, and United States of America. Liverpool Football Club was represented by CEO and Vice Chair of the LFC Foundation Peter Moore; Matt Parish, Director of the LFC Foundation; and Liverpool FC European Cup legend Alan Kennedy, who all took part in the 5K.

They were joined by LFC Club Ambassadors Ian Rush and Robbie Fowler; and Anfield Stadium match day announcer, Voice Of Anfield George Sephton, who all cheered on the runners. Everton in the Community Ambassador Ian Snodin also attended to support. Stage activity was presented by Everton's match day host, Graeme White. Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram and charity fundraiser Speedo Mick also took part in the 5K. Original Big Brother winner Craig Phillips and wife Laura, who walked the 5K course with 9 week old daughter, Nelly and dog Sydney, made it a real family event.

Liverpool Football Club CEO Peter Moore commented:- "This is something we have checked off in the diary at Liverpool Football Club every single year, and I'm happy I can do the 5K to commemorate The 96. When I think about football rivalries all over the world, we don't really have that in this City; maybe twice a year! It's a phenomenal environment with football as the platform for Liverpudlians all coming together."

The 5K route took runners through Stanley Park, Walton Lane, Priory Road, Arkles Lane and Anfield Road, before passing the Eternal Flame on 96 Avenue at Anfield Stadium, then heading back into Stanley Park towards the finish line.  As the 5K runners gathered before the fun run, Liverpool FC's You'll Never Walk Alone and Everton FC's Z Cars played, followed by a minute's applause to remember 'The 96.' This was followed by The Justice Collective's cover of The Hollies' classic He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother; the song which unites Liverpool and Everton fans.

'Run For The 96'  5K participants have previously worn specially made Liverpool Red or Everton Blue T-shirts. But for the 1st time and to mark the 30th Anniversary year, everyone wore purple to represent a combination of the City's footballing colours to show the solidarity of Red and Blue fans coming together as 1.

Beneficiaries on board for 2019 are Jamie Carragher's 23 Foundation, the LFC Foundation, Everton in the Community, and Stanley Park CIC. Together, the beneficiaries support the vision of creating a positive community legacy event to honour 'The 96,' and are committed to ensure that local communities benefit from the event.

BTR Liverpool organise and deliver the event. The entry fee pays to stage and deliver all aspects of the event. Participants are encouraged to fundraise. Donations can still be made by visiting the official fundraising Page.

As part of the event's commitment to creating a community legacy, the event also featured activities including:- soccer skills, coaching and open goals from the LFC Foundation; family yoga and fun games, from Stanley Park CIC and giveaways, from the Radio City Street Team. Runners also went the extra mile by taking along food donations for:- 'Fans Supporting Foodbanks;' as well as sports kit and running tops for KitAid, a charity recycling unwanted kit for youngsters and adults in:- Malawi, Kenya, The Gambia, Sierra Leone and Cape Town who do not have access to kit...

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Refreshment stands Crazy Cow Coffee, Hyacinth vintage ice cream van, and The Little Green Juice Box all supported the event by donating a percentage of their day's takings to the 4 official event beneficiaries. Volunteers also played big role on the day, including:- Everton in the Community, the LFC Foundation, Liverpool Running Bugs, and members of the Merseyside Running Community.

The day's most senior participant was Jim Perry who turns 80, in July 2019. Originally from Dovecot and now living in Prestatyn, this was Jim's 1st 'Run For The 96.' He made his way round the course with daughter Elizabeth. Jim was given Race Number 80 specially for the event. The date for the 2020 'Run For The 96'  will be confirmed once the football fixtures for the 2019/2020 season have been announced bon the BTR Liverpool website.

72% suffer mental health issues following accidental injury

THE devastating effect which an accidental injury can have on a sufferer's mental health has been revealed in a new study. More than 1,000 people who had been injured in accidents which weren't their fault; including:- road accidents and accidents in the workplace; were questioned for the National Accident Helpline Research. The findings have been revealed to coincide with:- 'Mental Health Awareness Week,'  that took place over 13 May to 19 May 2019. 

72% said they had struggled with mental health issues as a result of their accident. For those experiencing mental health issues resulting from their accident, 65% of those that needed help with their mental health felt they did not receive all the support they needed. 62% of those who had recovered from their mental health issues said it took longer than expected to get back in shape psychologically.

Financial pressure also plays a part: 55% of those surveyed lost income or worried about losing their job altogether (57%) and 63% worried about their work performance. 62% of people also felt they had lost their self confidence. People reported experiencing anxiety (34%), stress (35%) and depression (18%), while 21% had struggled to sleep. Others were troubled by panic attacks (13%), nightmares (13%), paranoia (8%) and PTSD - post traumatic stress disorder - (7%). The research suggests that mental recovery can take as long; sometimes longer; than actual physical recovery. The research found that 63% of those surveyed worried about walking out and about following their accident, and 55% had worried about leaving the house.

The lead commentator on the research is television GP Dr Hilary Jones and he is working with us to raise awareness of the hidden impacts of accidental injury. He said:- "An accidental injury is something which happens unexpectedly; so for those who are injured, all of a sudden their life is changed. This can leave them feeling unsure and anxious, and their injury could lead to changes in their routines and periods of absence from work; all of which can intensify feelings of worry, isolation and frustration."

Dr Claire Freeman is a Clinical Psychologist and is on the panel of medical professionals involved in the study. Observing on the hidden mental impacts of accidental injury, she said:- "It's really different to physical health… not something you can see on the outside. Sometimes, a young person will present in front of me and they'll just be, 'I'm fine, there's nothing wrong.'  Then, as soon as you start talking about the incident or the parent starts talking about the incident, you can actually see them visibly start to shake or they might rock backwards and forwards on their chair or they might shake their hands or clench their fists; so they become quite agitated or quite distressed."