Preston parkrun issues appeal after kit 'destroyed' in fire
Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service confirmed it attended a fire on Saturday.
Preston parkrun and Avenham Park junior parkrun are appealing for donations after much of their equipment was ‘destroyed’ in a fire.
The weekly Preston parkrun sees members of the local community gather at Avenham and Miller Parks and take part in a 5km walk, run or jog.
Taking place every Saturday, hundreds of people take part in the non-competitive event, while a 2km for juniors (4 to 14 year olds) also takes place on Sundays.
But, this week’s junior parkrun was sadly cancelled after organisers discovered there had been a fire.
In a statement on social media on Sunday (March 15), Avenham Park junior parkrun said: “Unfortunately we had to cancel this morning as when we got to the park, we discovered there had been a fire at the shed where we keep our kit.
“The good news is that none of our amazing volunteers were hurt as the fire was all out when we arrived.
“We will be checking what kit we can salvage over the next couple of days, but it's already apparent that we will need to replace quite a few bits.”
Preston parkrun added that much of its equipment had too been ‘destroyed’, with organisers of both events now appealing for donations. Donations can be made here and here.
Jo Worswick, Event Director at Preston parkrun told the LEP: “We stored some of the parkrun kit in a store cupboard in Avenham Park. The cupboard belongs to the council who kindly let us use it. It is near the Japanese Garden behind the lodge.
“The kit that was in there and destroyed was mainly signs, cones and the finish funnel set up for both events. Both ourselves and Avenham Park Juniors are working with parkrun UK to replace the equipment as soon as possible.
“We have already had lots of donations to both events over the past 24 hours and are very grateful for the support given from the community.”
A spokesperson for Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service (LFRS) confirmed a fire occurred, telling the LEP: “At 22:12 on 14 March 2026, one fire engine from Preston attended a fire involving rubbish at the side of an outbuilding on Avenham Lane, Preston.
“Crews extinguished the fire and were in attendance for approximately fifty minutes.”