The ‘Superdads’ using fitness to inspire younger generations

A team of ‘Superdads’ are using fitness to raise money for youth clubs and schools and inspire the younger generation.

Former personal trainer Damien Scannell, created the Superdad Community in lockdown and has since organised fundraisers including a 100km run to support underprivileged children across South London.

Mr Scannell, 39, of Morley Road, Lewisham, has led an online health group for fathers in South London since 2015.

When the Covid pandemic hit, Mr Scannell and his partner Vicky Scannell – who runs a mother’s fitness community – banded together to create their first fundraising event.

Mr Scannell said: “We did a month-long “health” challenge before Christmas.

“We delivered nutritional advice, accountability and support and every challenger had to donate to enter.”

With the money raised, Mr Scannell donated 50 festive hampers to a school in Catford.

He said: “We work with local businesses so the hampers had toys and Christmas food like a leg of lamb or a turkey.

“The teachers told us parents were crying when the kids came out with all of it.”

In the past four years, the Superdads have racked up thousands of pounds from their fundraisers which have featured a 100km run, a 50km walk, cycles from London to Brighton and the three peaks challenge.

Mr Scannell said: “The run was hard. 

“We ran from a gym in Croydon to Hyde Park but had to stop at every road so decided to stay in the park and ended up doing about 10 laps.

“By about 60km no one was talking – we were all so bored!” 

But the effort paid off, with the mammoth challenge raising £7,500 for a free summer school club in Croydon.

Mr Scannell said: “My brother runs a youth club in Addiscombe, which has a four week summer camp.

“We partnered with a tutoring business so all the kids got tutoring, including one to one support, as part of the camp.”

A father of three children, aged 11, six and five years old, Mr Scannell says ensuring fathers are positive role models is a key component of his work.

He said: “There’s a stereotype that dads get old and overweight and can’t do much.

“I coach men on health and mentality, it is so important for us to be out there and getting active.

“We want men to be energised and healthy and inspire the next generation to do the same.”

Mr Scannell was raised by his father, a single parent, in Addiscombe with two brothers.

He said: “My dad was an alcoholic and we were on benefits. 

“I spent a lot of time at my local youth club as a kid. We would mostly play football but they had table tennis, pool and access to a PC.

“After we played a match you’d sit down and talk then you go back to someone’s house.

“The way I grew up, that was the first place I was able to really connect with my community.”

Mr Scannell went on to become a professional footballer for Southend United F.C before setting up his own business as a personal trainer.

He said: “I want young people from underprivileged families to have the mechanisms and opportunities to get out there.”

Pictured top: The Superdad Community launched in 2019 to raise money for young South Londoners through fitness related events (Picture: Damien Scannell)

Related stories