Olympic medallist Fatima Whitbread is set to surprise shoppers in Romford with a series of flash mob performances aimed at raising awareness of children and young people growing up in care.

Whitbread will join students from JAM Performing Arts for three performances across Romford during October, combining dance and community involvement to highlight her UK charity campaign.

The campaign has a personal connection for Whitbread, who spent much of her childhood in the care system before becoming a world champion javelin thrower and Olympic medallist.

Performances across Romford

The first event will take place at Romford Shopping Hall on Saturday 3 October, with performances planned between midday and 3pm.

Further flash mobs will be held at The Brewery in Romford on Saturday 10 October, followed by The Mercury Mall in Romford on Saturday 24 October. Both events will also take place between midday and 3pm.

The Romford appearances are among the first in a planned series of performances across the UK, using dance to engage communities and raise awareness of the experiences of young people in care.

Whitbread said the campaign was about inspiring and empowering young people while demonstrating the importance of having a sense of belonging.

She said: “This campaign is about inspiring and empowering young people, proving that belonging matters, and giving children and young people in care a voice and a stage where they can feel seen, heard and valued.”

JAM Performing Arts said it was proud to collaborate with the campaign and support its efforts to make a positive difference to children and young people in care.

Romford performance dates

Saturday 3 October: Romford Shopping Hall, 12pm–3pm
Saturday 10 October: The Brewery, Romford, 12pm–3pm
Saturday 24 October: The Mercury Mall, Romford, 12pm–3pm