BackWalk to School Month launch in Wolverhampton
Primary school pupils from Holy Trinity Catholic Primary School will be counting down the minutes until school starts for a change, as they take on the Walk to School Totaliser Challenge on Thursday 1st October!
Holy Trinity Catholic Primary School has been selected as one of only four schools across England to launch Walk to School Month 2009. Children who walk all or part of the way to school on Thursday will be adding their walking minutes to a limited edition Strider Totaliser with the aim of reaching a target set by the national Walk to School team.
The launch event in Wolverhampton marks the start of eagerly awaited International Walk to School Month, and thousands of children from across the UK will be joining forces with over 40 countries worldwide to celebrate the benefits of walking to school. The theme this year is ‘Count me in’, and the campaign is encouraging children to measure how much physical activity they do during the day. On the day itself, children who walk will be rewarded with a limited edition ‘Count me in’ t-shirt and balloon and will learn more about the importance of reaching their 60 minutes of activity a day.
National charity Living Streets, who are celebrating their 80th birthday this year, work to create safe, attractive and enjoyable streets around the UK. They run the highly successful Walk to School campaign, which encourages children, parents and teachers up and down the country to leave their cars at home and walk to school.
Walking to school regularly is a fantastic way to help reach the recommended daily 60 minutes of activity to benefit a child’s health. Around half of children currently don’t walk to school regularly, with an enormous 41% being driven to school in cars, despite the fact that the average distance to primary schools remains around one mile. By encouraging families to ditch the car keys and get to school on foot, this Month will show that its not just PE lessons that are needed to give children the healthiest start in life – it’s how active they are in their daily life that really matters.
Teachers often report that those pupils who walk to school are more attentive in class. And it’s no surprise – the levels of physical activity undertaken by primary school age children are often greatly overestimated by parents. By simply walking to school and back each day, the average child will already be spending more time physically active than is provided for by the national curriculum.
Tony Armstrong, Chief Executive of Living Streets said:
“We are really excited to be launching Walk to School Month in Wolverhampton and hope that the totaliser challenge inspires children to get into the walking habit. Walking is a brilliant way to get some physical activity and some fresh air into your day. When children are bundled from front door to car door, they miss out on the opportunity to socialise with friends, get to know their community, and burn off some energy before getting their heads down in the books.
“If we are to avoid the Government’s prediction of a quarter of our children being obese by 2050, we need to start making changes to our lifestyle now. We would love everyone who normally drives the school run to use this month as an excuse to try walking. We think you’ll be amazed at how enjoyable a regular walk can be; a chance to spend real quality time together, and reap health rewards for all the family.”
Carroll McNally, Head Teacher at Holy Trinity Catholic Primary School said:
“Holy Trinity is really pleased to participate in Walk to School month again. We already publicise Walk on Wednesdays and have many healthy eating, sport and activity programmes in place. Not only is Walk to School essential in raising everyone's awareness of the benefits of walking but emphasises our school's commitment to the environment and our local community.”
Councillor Paddy Bradley, Wolverhampton City Council’s cabinet member for regeneration and enterprise, said:
“Wolverhampton City Council is pleased to be involved with Living Streets at the launch of Walk to School Month. All Infant, Junior and Primary schools in the City have received resources for the month long campaign to encourage children to walk to school. As many schools as possible are being encouraged to take part to show that walking to school can make a real difference.”
MEDIA: Journalists and photographers are invited to attend the school on Thursday 1st October to watch the children arrive and add their walking minutes to the school’s totaliser. You are advised to reach the school at 08:30 to meet the children and their families as they walk to school and join in the activities.
For more information contact Anna Powell, Press Officer on 0207 377 4914 or email anna.powell@livingstreets.org.uk.For any out of hours press enquiries, please call 07545 209865.
Notes to editors
Living Streets’ Walk to School campaign is supported by the Department for Transport, Transport for London, ACTravelwise and Modeshift, and delivered in partnership with local organisers throughout England.
The Walk to School campaign encourages primary school pupils, parents and staff to incorporate regular physical activity into their daily lives by walking to and from school wherever possible. Visit www.walktoschool.org.uk for more information.
Living Streets, celebrating its 80th birthday this year, is the national charity that stands up for pedestrians. With our supporters we work to create safe, attractive and enjoyable streets, where people want to walk.
We have been the national voice for pedestrians throughout our 80 year history. In the early years, our campaigning led to the introduction of the driving test, pedestrian crossings and 30mph speed limits. Since then our ambition has grown. Today we influence decision makers nationally and locally, run successful projects to encourage people to walk, and provide specialist consultancy services to help reduce congestion and carbon emissions, improve public health, and make sure every community can enjoy vibrant streets and public spaces.
Published on: 29/09/2009
