Lembit Öpik MP encourages local pupils to 'Power Up' for Walk to School Month (Montgomeryshire Liberal Democrats)

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Montgomeryshire Liberal Democrats <montlibdems@gmail.com>

Lembit Öpik MP encourages local pupils to 'Power Up' for Walk to School Month

October 16, 2008 2:21 PM

This October has seen children around Montgomeryshire (and around the world!) discover the health benefits of regular walking, in celebration of International Walk to School Month.

Only one-third of boys and girls aged 2-11 achieve the recommended level of activity to benefit their health through activity undertaken outside of school. By encouraging families to ditch the car keys and get to school on foot, Walk to School Month aims to highlight that it's not just PE lessons that are needed to give children the healthiest start - it's how active you are in your daily life that really matters.

International Walk to School month, run in the UK by national charity Living Streets and funded by the Department for Transport and Transport for London, will see pupils boost their energy levels with a fantastic variety of walking events and challenges.

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.

For practical advice on this campaign, Living Streets, Transport for London and Eco Local have teamed up to produce a 'WoW Walking Zones' pack, to help teachers get their pupils into the walking habit. WoW (or Walk once a Week) is a successful year-round scheme from Living Streets, which rewards pupils who walk regularly with a collectable badge each month. You can download your free walking zone pack, and find out more great tips and information, by visiting www.walktoschool.org.uk

Commenting, Lembit Öpik MP said:

"This is one of the simplest ways to get exercise and 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 spectre 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. I expect to relieve congestion also."

Ends/diwedd

Notes to editors:

For more information contact Lucy Abell, Communications Manager at lucy.abell@livingstreets.org.uk tel: 020 7820 1010.

The Walk to School campaign is run by Living Streets, and is funded by the Department for Transport and (in London) by Transport for London.

Living Streets works to bring our streets to life, with more walking in people-friendly public spaces.

They were formed in 1929, as the Pedestrians Association, and have grown to include a network of 98 branches and affiliated groups, 35 local authority members and a growing number of corporate supporters. As well as working to influence policy on a national and local level, they also carry out a range of practical work to train professionals in good street design, and enable local communities to improve their own neighbourhoods. They also run high profile campaigns such as Walk to School and Walking Works, to encourage people to increase their walking levels and realise their vision of vibrant, living streets across the UK.

Information on Children's health can be found in the Health Survey for England 2002.