Golden Girl Jessica Ennis Champions Charity Games

Sheffield’s World Heptathlon Champion Jessica Ennis has announced that she is backing a new a sporting event in aid of The Children’s Hospital, Sheffield.

The fundraising event, named Theo’s Games, is being organised by The Children’s Hospital Charity and will give people of all ages the chance to take part in a series of sporting activities at Don Valley Stadium on Sunday 18 July 2010.

The main event of the Games will be a 3k family fun run but there will also be the opportunity for adults and children to take part in four other events - soft javelin, long jump, high jump and bean bag shot put.

Double gold medal winner Jessica, who took time out of training recently to visit patients at the hospital and help launch the Games, said: "I am delighted to be supporting Theo's Games. The event is the perfect opportunity for people of all ages to get involved with sport, have fun and raise money for a really worthy cause."

She added: "During my visits to The Children's Hospital I have been touched by the inspirational work of the staff and the bravery of the young patients. I feel extremely proud to have such a fantastic children's hospital in my home city and am keen to do all I can to raise awareness of their great work."

Simon Athey, Senior Fundraiser at The Children’s Hospital Charity, said: “We are thrilled that Jessica will be supporting Theo’s Games and are very excited about being able to offer this new fundraising event at one of the country’s premier sporting venues.

“The Games will give participants a fun way to follow in the footsteps of world-class athletes like Jessica and raise much needed funds for the hospital.”

Entry for Theo’s Games, which is named after the charity’s mascot Theo Bear, will be £5. The charity is encouraging participants to raise a minimum £20.12 to tie in with the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Supported by The University of Sheffield, Blundells, Irwin Mitchell and Sheffield International Venues (SIV) it is hoped the event will be run each year in the run up to the Olympics.

Pat Smith, general manager of Don Valley Stadium, which is operated by SIV, said: “It is fantastic that such a successful international athlete who started her career at Don Valley is now supporting this very worthwhile charity event at the stadium.”

Those wishing to get involved with the event can sign-up online at www.theosgames.org.uk or contact The Children’s Hospital Charity team on 0114 2717203 for an application form.

Theo’s Games will replace The Children’s Hospital Charity’s annual 10k run but will still incorporate their annual 3k fun run, which last year attracted around 1000 runners.