It was a healthy start to the month as many seemingly stuck to those new year’s resolutions and came out in their hundreds to support the launch of Letchworth parkrun.
The first Saturday run drew 400 people to Letchworth’s Grange Recreation Ground, all eager to take on the 5km route.
Organisers were overwhelmed with the turnout as numbers surpassed their expectations when the popular running event made its debut in North Herts. Event director Mark Edwards said he was “gobsmacked” at the response.
In Stevenage, February saw health campaigner Jonny Benjamin visit Barnwell School to give an assembly on mental health to the school’s Year 8 and 9 students.
As part of his #JustTalk campaign, he aims to build the conversation around mental health amongst boys from a young age and remove the stigma around the topic.
Jonny became known for his #FindMike campaign in 2014, which helped him find the stranger who stopped him from taking his own life.
He gave an inspirational talk at the assembly and spoke to students individually about their coping strategies around these issues.
The month also saw the first annual trophy match organised in honour of the Letchworth Garden City Eagles FC chairman Vince Paige, who devoted his life to the club.
Before his unexpected death in February 2017, the life president of the club played an important part in transforming the club to a major junior and senior football club in North Herts.
Senior team manager Jason Valentine said that the Vince Paige Trophy would be “a mark of respect and a way of remembering him,” and will continue his goal of expanding the club.
Also making the news was a real-life hero, as Ian Alexander’s quick-thinking actions saved a six-year-old girl as he spotted the early onset signs of meningitis.
An ambassador for Meningitis Research Foundation and meningitis survivor himself, Ian insisted that a friend took her daughter to see a doctor immediately once hearing of her symptoms.
In hospital, doctor’s praised the ambassador for spotting the early signs and said that thanks to him the girl made a speedy and full recovery.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here