Athlete, Perri Shakes-Drayton, launches new project to get Newham fitter by 2020

British track and field star Perri Shakes-Drayton helped launch a new project in Canning Town.

The 400 metre athlete joined Parkour legend and coach, Francois Mahop, to kick start the new campaign, LDN Move Me, which has been set up as part of London Sport’s long-term vision to get 1,000,000 Londoners more active by 2020.

To kick start the campaign they held an introductory parkour training session, as well as a few activities from GoodGym and Our Parks, who are among the many partners helping to encourage Londoners to join the movement at The Chainstore Parkour Academy in Orchard Place, last week.

“I’m keen on getting people active, hence why I run a boot camp every Saturday in Victoria Park,” Perri explained.

“People who have joined my boot camps now go swimming and running together as well, which is great.

“The fact that London is my city and because I was born and raised here, just really made me think why not get involved.”

The project is all about celebrating physical activity, whether that is a weekend walk, a yoga class, a football match or even some parkour.

“Some people don’t like doing things by themselves, but they don’t have too, this is bringing the community together,” she added.

“I’m hoping having people like myself and the other ambassadors can inspire other people that follow us and want to be part of it.”

Francois run a few short sessions of parkour to introduce people to the sport and give it a taster at the launch.

“I feel very privileged to get involved and take part in these promotions, as I feel very strongly about everyone getting active,” he said.

“It’s very much about raising awareness for parkour, as there are many activities and it’s important for people in London to become physically active by taking these up.”

Chris Scott, communications manager at London Sport, added: “We want to make London the most active city in the world.”