Your next viral fitness challenge of lockdown? Jumping. Specifically, star jumping for five minutes somewhere that’s not going to have your neighbours banging on your door seconds before you collapse through their ceiling. You know the rest of the score already: donate £5, then nominate five others — and brag about it on Instagram, obviously.
This time it’s to support the NHS maternity staff at West Middlesex and Chelsea and Westminster hospitals who are working tirelessly to protect women and babies during this crisis. “Each year, 10,400 women give birth with us and the changes we have had to make to the service almost overnight due to the global pandemic have been innovative, but also challenging,” says Vicki Cochrane, director of midwifery.
The challenge was thought up by her friends in north-west London and hundreds have already taken part from kitchens, gardens and empty beaches across the country. The best part? It’s one for the kids, too: film your star jumps; post a star-themed snap or clip under the hashtag #NHSstarjumpers; then get out the colouring pencils. Participants are being encouraged to submit artwork alongside their donations to liven up the walls of the maternity units – stars and thank yous are encouraged, says founder Tamsin MacGregor. She’s aiming to raise £5,000 through #NHSstarjumpers’ efforts, but if #runforheroes is anything to go by, she shouldn’t stop there. Grab your bounciest trainers and reach for the stars.
