How 21-year-old Conall is bringing a community to its feet with weekly runs

An early years sports coach is bringing a community to its feet with weekly fun runs that are as much about changing attitudes as keeping fit.

Conall Slavin, 21, from Widnes, started the feel good family treks near his home in West Bank in January.

And while the aim is to help young people especially get active and outdoors, it’s also about making a positive difference in West Bank where he lives.

“West Bank has a reputation of being one of the most deprived and worst areas to live, but we don’t see it like that,” says Conall.

“We see it as the best community to live in. It’s close knit, and supportive, and I want to show and encourage all the things that are good about it particularly to younger people.

“I live here and I’m passionate about it.”

He adds:

“It’s also about making things better and helping to build on the bond that we have, bringing people together with a weekly run to foster physical and mental health, and boost a pride and energy in West Bank – as well as ourselves and each other.”

The next run on Monday, April 20, is an ‘Earth Day Special’, celebrating the annual day on Wednesday (April 22) which promotes support for environmental protection: “I always encourage runners to stay on the paths so they don’t damage or disturb the greenery and wildlife around, and never to litter,” he says.

“We’ve even organised litter picks which the whole community has got behind.”

Run With Con has become a popular activity, setting off from Spike Island every Monday at 6pm.

It started after Conall helped his younger rugby-playing cousin to get fit and up to speed by coaching him with regular runs.

And it was his aunt who suggested he should open it up to more people and make it a regular thing.

He did the first Run With Con on January 19 when seven people responded to his Facebook post letting them know it was happening, and since then – supported by family and friends – it’s just grown, adding community events like the Pizza and Pals Night at Easter where he raised money to offer food and games in the local community centre after the run, with more already planned.

Conall’s mum Leanne, 44, who looks after the admin for Run With Con says her son has even become a bit of a celebrity at Widnes Academy where he was recently invited to hand out certificates to the children.

“The principal had heard children going in on Tuesdays talking about the runs, and pupils who they struggle sometimes to get into school were going on Conall’s runs and really getting into them,” she says.

Local businesses and individuals have also pledged support, buying trainers for youngsters who wanted to run but couldn’t afford them, and backing what Conall is doing.

“We might live in one of the ‘most deprived areas’ but I want to teach people – kids especially – to be positive, and that even the slightest effort makes a world of difference,” says Conall.

“I have seen behaviours changing.

“I’ve suffered with my mental health over the last few years, celebrating milestone birthdays and taking GCSEs during Covid, so this is helping me too.

“It helps to know I’m supporting other people with their physical and mental health, and giving something back to the community by getting people together.”

Leanne adds:

“It makes Con feel good, and it makes me feel good. I’m so proud of what he’s doing.”

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