It was a pleasure to officially open the new Aneurin Leisure Community Kit Room at Ebbw Vale Leisure Centre.

I attended the opening of the first kit room in Abertillery Leisure Centre in 2023. Since then, a second has opened at Tredegar Leisure Centre, with the third now in Ebbw Vale.

The Kit Rooms are full of gear donated by the local community – sports equipment, boots, t-shirts, shorts, tracksuits, trainers and more – to be picked up by the local community for free.

I think this is such a brilliant idea. Full credit to the team at Aneurin Leisure for coming up with such an innovative and functional way to bring down barriers to participation in sport while also reducing waste.

This scheme has proved a big success in Blaenau Gwent. I’d love to see this idea really take off and get taken up by other local authorities.

On the topic of exercise, I was very pleased to mark my 250th parkrun recently. I’ve been championing the benefits of parkrun for a long time, not just as a keen parkrunner myself but as chair of the parkrun APPG in Parliament.

I don’t think there is a better way to look after your physical and mental wellbeing, not just through the exercise, but the social element that comes with taking part or even volunteering. It’s great meeting up with everyone on a Saturday morning and even better is the fact that I get to take part in the place closest to heaven, running around the lake at Parc Bryn Bach in Tredegar.

If you want a fun, free way to get fit please consider coming along to one of our brilliant local parkruns in Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney, either Parc Bryn Bach or Aberbeeg.

A big thanks to all the brilliant volunteers who make these events possible week-in, week-out, and especially Lee Aherne. As the driving force behind the Parc Bryn Bach parkrun and leader of the local NHS Couch to 5K programme, Lee has helped so many people improve their physical and mental health through his tireless commitment and contagious enthusiasm.

He was also pivotal in initiating and championing the successful campaign for Blaenau Gwent to honour marathon legend Steve Jones with a statue.

In recognition of all his hard work I invited Lee to 10 Downing Street last week as my guest to an early St David’s Day Reception. Well done, Lee.

Nick Smith is the MP for Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney.

© South Wales Argus