Footie fever

The FA Tesco Skills Programme has swept the UK this year. More than 223,000 five to 11-year-olds have received coaching and the aim is to reach one million by the time the World Cup happens in 2010.

Designed by The FA to improve the technique, confidence and ball skills of five to 11-year-old boys and girls, the scheme is part of Tesco's commitment to help UK children get active. The programme has a team of 66 specialist skills coaches, including former Liverpool/Aston Villa and England international Mark Walters, plus current and former England women's internationals, Fara Williams and Marianne Spacey, who work in schools and clubs.

Running the country

Summer is the perfect time to get active, and signing up to an organised run is a great way to get motivated.

For the kids there's the Tesco Great School Run, back for a fourth year. Last year more than 512,000 children, aged seven to 11, from over 5,700 schools took part, supported by sports stars including Paula Radcliffe. The 2km event, held in schools and sports venues on 20 June, with training packs provided in advance, is designed to encourage children to get fit and have fun.

Shane Mullane, PE co-ordinator of St Mary's Primary School in Sunderland, has taken part for three years. 'It's definitely affected how children see fitness, especially those who aren't involved in sports clubs outside school,' he says. To register go to www.tesco.com/schools.

Meanwhile, grown-ups can get fit and raise money for charity with Cancer Research UK's 2008 series of 10km runs. Help meet the target of £4·9 million by registering online at www.cancerresearchuk.org/10k.

Give a little

Exclusive Tesco products are making it easy for shoppers to support Tesco Charity of the Year Marie Curie Cancer Care in its aim to provide more nursing care at home for the terminally ill. Ten pence from every specially labelled greeting card sold in the standard Tesco range in the greeting cards aisle goes to Marie Curie for the whole of 2008. And at Tesco.com, a Marie Curie Cancer Care bouquet is available, with £2 of its purchase price going to the charity. Supporting a good cause has never been easier. Look out for more charity products in store and online throughout the year and take the opportunity to make a difference.