Where’s Wally? Goes virtual for a weekend

FOOTBALL SCHOOL authors Alex Bellos and Ben Lyttleton are the face of this year’s Where’s Wally? fun run, which will be raising money to support the work of the National Literacy Trust.

This year’s event – named the “Weekender” – will take place over the weekend of 20th March – and it’s gone virtual. Supporters are asked to dress up as Wally and run, jog or walk, raising money from sponsorship. Runners are asked to complete a 10k or 5k run – or a 1k run for the Under 12s – in their local area. Every penny raised from the Where’s Wally? Weekender will help the National Literacy Trust to help those children across the UK who need literacy support the most.

Runners who register will be able to order a free Wally costume, complete with the well known glasses and bobble hat. They will also receive a medal and a virtual goody pack, which includes an exclusive sneak peek of digital activities from the brand new Where’s Wally? book, Where’s Wally? Party Time!

The virtual event will officially kick off at 10am with a heart-pumping 15 minute Facebook Live warm up from world renowned football freestyler Jamie Knight. Runners can go for their run straight away – or at whatever time suits them over the weekend.

 Co-authors of the much-loved Football School series (produced by Walker Books, which supports the Where’s Wally? Weekender) Alex Bellos and Ben Lyttleton are endorsing the event. They are both passionate about getting children into reading through their love of sport. Their book Football School: 20 Fantastic Football Stories is part of this year’s World Book Day titles. They’ll both be dressing up and taking on a 10k run around their local areas – and they have recorded some fun video preview messages to encourage people, young and old, to sign up and run.

Alex Bellos – author, documentary presenter and puzzle columnist for The Guardian – said, “I can’t wait for the Where’s Wally? Weekender and to wear Wally’s iconic red and white stripes with pride! I wouldn’t be where I am today without a love of reading. It’s such an important skill for all aspects of your life, but it is also supports wellbeing, which at a time like this is so important.”

Ben Lyttleton – author and football journalist, said “While it’s going to be really fun and I love dressing up, I’m delighted that every step I take in Wally’s shoes will help lots of children on their way to brighter futures.”

Jonathan Douglas CBE, Chief Executive of the National Literacy Trust, said, “This year, it warms my heart to know that there will be Wallys running around all over the country to help our charity in our mission to change the life stories of disadvantaged children in the UK […] – especially after a year which has disrupted children’s education so much. To those of you who have signed up, thank you, you are brilliant, and to those thinking about it, go for it!”

Where’s Wally? Weekender!
Saturday, 20th March-Sunday, 21st March 2021
Warm up with Jamie Knight via Facebook Live at 10am on the Saturday
Venue:  Your local area
Length: 5k, 10k or 1k for under 12s
Cost: £15 per child and £20 per adult
Register here: register
Find out more about the National Literacy Trust: NLT

●Read more stories about the Where’s Wally? run:
Where’s Wally?