Hundreds of Cumbrian children are taking part in the national Walk on Wednesday (WoW) campaign. The children are committing to getting fit and cutting down on congestion around schools by walking to and from school every Wednesday as part of the campaign.
Throughout the year, children from selected schools in Cumbria are swapping their parents cars for a more traditional mode of transport which keeps them fit and keeps cars off the road and away from the school gates on Wednesdays. On Wednesday, 7th December the Mayor of Appleby, Frank Harland will be showing his support by walking with the children from Appleby Primary School.
Every child that takes part in the scheme being rolled out by the county council's Better Ways to School team will receive a certificate as a way of recognising their commitment to WoW. On a half termly basis, an enamel pin footprint badge is awarded to every child who has walked to and from school every Wednesday as a way of congratulating them. At the end of the year, WoW schools will receive a plaque in the shape of a foot for their school entrance.
The number of children that walk to school has dropped over the years, as more and more parents opt to jump in the car to do the school-run. The results of the Department for Transport National Travel Survey shows that in 1985-86, 67% of UK children aged 5-10 walked to school, but by 1999-2000 this figure had fallen to 54%. Over the same period, the percentage of primary school children driven to school has increased from 22% to 39%.
County councillor Geoff Hodgson, spokesman for community safety said:
"We are encouraging children and their families to take up the challenge and change the way they go to school. Children love walking and by walking to school parents will get to spend quality time with their young children and the older children will have the chance to catch up with their friends. Travelling to and from school on foot gives children practical lessons in road safety and healthy exercise at the same time".
Director of Public Health, Dr Rebecca Wagstaff said:
"We all know that exercise is the key to good health, yet three out of ten boys and four out of ten girls are not doing enough physical activity. Ideally, children and young people should do at least an hour a day of physical activity in order to stay fit and healthy. If the number of obese children continues to rise at current rates, children will have a shorter life expectancy than their parents. Just a 15 minute walk to school would mean a child had already reached half the recommended minimum level of exercise for that day".
If any schools are interested in taking part in the WoW scheme in 2006, please contact BWTS Advisor Judith Aris on 01768 242324.