Run Kids Run Timeline
2018: Early days at Thornhill School
The initiative started in 2018 at Thornhill Primary School in Islington, London.
Run Thornhill Run was created as a means to fill a significant school funding gap.
Through the months of planning and preparation Emily Bohill and her team realised they had created a blueprint for an event that:
- Raises vital funds for schools
- Enhances community engagement and spirit
- Gets kids and their parents fit
Children are empowered to raise funds for their schools by collecting sponsorship from friends and family, while local businesses can promote their firms whilst giving back to the communities they depend on.
2020: Born in Islington
In 2020, after months of lockdown and school closures due to the Covid pandemic, the Thornhill run expanded to 5 neighbouring schools and Run Kids Run was born.
The first event was a socially distanced virtual run in July 2020, where despite the pandemic, 400 children took part. The event raised over £40,000 thanks to be financial backing of Islington Square. Each participating school received £5,000, a much needed resource in a Covid year.
Building on the success of 2020, Run Kids Run expanded further in 2021 to include 8 primary schools rallying 600 children and raising £69,000. Since then, Run Islington Run has gone from strength to strength and now includes 21 schools. It has become the community's fundraising event of the year.
2022 onwards: Reaching out to new communities
Since 2022, Run Kids Run has been bringing its event to more boroughs across London. connecting school communities with corporate sponsors.
2022: King's Cross and Stratford
2023: Battersea and Canada Water
2025: First international event in Dublin
2026: Leyton
Run Kids Run now supports schools in 10 London boroughs: Camden, Hackney, Islington, Lambeth, Newham, Southwark, Tower Hamlets, Waltham Forest, Wandsworth, Westminster.
Our ambition is to expand the initiative to more school communities across London and the UK. Building long lasting partnerships between these communities and corporate supporters is at the heart of the charity's mission.