‘Power Up!’ for Walk to School Month
From Cabinet Member for Transport, Highways and Infrastructure, Cllr Ted Richards on 01 October 2008
Primary school children around Solihull will be discovering the health benefits of regular walking when Walk to School Month starts next week.
Thousands of children are set to start their day in the best possible way, with a walk to school - 23 schools have signed up for the whole month and 19 schools will be taking part in Walk to School week from 6 – 10 October.
The theme for the month is ‘Power Up!’ and its aim is to get children thinking about health and fitness and ‘powering up’ with energy by walking to school. Currently only around half of 7-11 year olds nationally are doing the recommended one hour of physical activity a day.
Cabinet Member for Transport Highways and Infrastructure, Cllr Ted Richards said: “A brisk walk to school is an easy way to boost energy levels for the day ahead and improve children’s overall health. By encouraging families to ditch the car keys and get to school on foot there will be obvious environmental benefits too - the amount of traffic around the school will be reduced and so will pollution. It is also an ideal time for parents and children to practice good road crossings skills which will enable them to make more independent journeys as they get older.”
As part of the month children will receive a ‘Power Up’ sticker and an energy game to play at home.
For members of the press and media only: Julie Turner: 0121 704 8172
Email: juturner@solihull.gov.uk