Amber (centre front) poses with her winning design, along with her family, Strider (Living Streets' mascot), Living Streets staff, SPT and SAC staff, and Head Teacher Mr Hardy.
South Ayrshire pupils celebrate International Walk to School Month
This week, pupils in South Ayrshire put their best foot forward for International Walk to School Month.
Holmston Primary School takes part in WOW – the walk to school challenge from Living Streets Scotland, supported by the Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) People and Place Programme which is funded by the Scottish Government.
WOW sees pupils record their journey to school on the interactive WOW Travel Tracker and rewards those who walk, wheel, cycle, scoot or ‘Park and Stride’ to school with a WOW badge.
On Wednesday, 28 October, representatives from Living Streets, SPT and South Ayrshire Council were joined by Pride of Place Officer Audrey Gatt, and Senior Communities Officer (Active Travel) Ryan Roger, at the school to meet budding young designer Amber, whose design was selected as one of the WOW badges worn by thousands of pupils across the UK earlier this year.
Anne Docherty, Living Streets Scotland Manager, said:
“We’ve had a great morning celebrating International Walk to School Month at Holmston Primary School. Walking and wheeling to school is a fantastic way to support pupils’ health and wellbeing, reduce traffic at the school gates and create safer and cleaner streets for everyone.
“Thank you to South Ayrshire Council and Strathclyde Partnership for Transport for joining us and for their continued support with WOW – the walk to school challenge.
“And congratulations to Amber for her wonderful design.”
David Smith, Chair of the Pride in Place Board, said:
"It is particularly encouraging to see one of our young people gaining national recognition through creativity, commitment and positive engagement. This achievement highlights the talent, ambition and potential that exists within our communities, and the Pride in Place Board is delighted to celebrate this success with Amber from Holmston Primary School and Living Streets."
Councillor Stephen Dornan, Chair of Strathclyde Partnership for Transport, said:
"SPT is proud to support WOW and the positive difference it is making in communities across the region. By encouraging more children and families to choose walking, wheeling and cycling for everyday journeys, the programme is helping to reduce reliance on the car and making active, sustainable travel a natural part of daily life.
We are delighted to work alongside Living Streets Scotland, South Ayrshire Council and local schools to encourage more active travel and help create healthier, more connected communities for future generations."
Mr Hardy, Head Teacher, Holmston Primary School said:
“The whole school is very proud of Amber's achievement in winning this competition and seeing her design made into a real badge! WOW! The Walk to School programme is fully embedded in our school and encourages all the pupils to think about active travel to support their fitness, health and wellbeing.”
Living Streets Scotland has encouraged families to leave the car at home for International Walk to School Month this October. Throughout the month, the charity has shared ways to get involved and celebrate the simple difference that walking or wheeling to school can make.
In Scotland, 75 primary schools are benefiting from WOW, thanks to funding from the Scottish Government. Living Streets works with 2,000 schools across the UK to deliver its walk to school programme. The project highlights the positive impact active travel investment has on local communities.
Find out more about WOW – the walk to school challenge by visiting livingstreets.org.uk or emailing [email protected]
Mr Hardy, Head Teacher at Holmston Primary School with competition winner, Amber
Notes to editors:
Contact details: Lauren Brooks, Strategic Communications Coordinator, Living Streets. lauren.brooks@livingstreets.org.uk
We are Living Streets Scotland, part of the UK charity for everyday walking.
We want to create a nation where walking is the natural choice for every day, local journeys; free from congested roads and pollution, reducing the risk of preventable illnesses and social isolation. We want to achieve a better walking environment and to inspire people of all generations to enjoy the benefits the simple act of walking brings.
For almost 100 years we’ve been a beacon for walking. In our early days our campaigning led to the UK’s first zebra crossings and speed limits. Now our campaigns and local projects deliver real change to overcome barriers to walking and our groundbreaking initiatives such as the world’s biggest Walk to School campaign encourage millions of people to walk.
This project was supported by SPT People and Place Programme which is funded by the Scottish Government, supporting the shared ambition that by 2030, Scotland’s communities are shaped around people and place - making walking, wheeling and cycling to be most popular mode of travel for short, everyday journeys. People and Place grants are funded by the Scottish Government and administered and supported by Strathclyde Partnership for Transport.
About the author
Sarah Philpott
Strategic Communications Manager, Living Streets / [email protected]