Northumberland pupils take to the streets

17 May 2021 ARCHIVED (over 3 months old) - view latest news

Northumberland pupils will take to the streets for Walk to School Week (17 – 21 May 2021) to celebrate the benefits of walking. 

Pupils across Northumberland will join thousands of children across the UK to take to their feet for Living Streets’ Walk to School Week (17 – 21 2021). Walk to School Week takes place during Living Streets’ National Walking Month each May, with this year’s campaign focusing on the health and environmental benefits of walking to school. 

Walk to School Week will explore how being active helps children gain ‘superpowers’ that improve their health, happiness and local environment. 

Walk to School Week is organised by Living Streets, the UK charity for everyday walking as part of their National Walking Month campaign each May. 

Cath McEvoy-Carr, Executive Director for Adult and Children’s services, said: “This is a great initiative for our children to get involved in. Walking is not only great for a child’s physical health and wellbeing but their mental health and wellbeing too.” 

Families are encouraged to walk, cycle, scoot or ‘Park and Stride’ for the whole week to see the big differences that come from small steps, from healthier and happier children to fewer cars outside the school gates. This year’s challenge will focus on the ‘walking superpowers’ that benefit individuals, communities and the planet. 

As part of the week children will be able to take part in activities and will be introduced to a brand new ‘Walking Superpower’ taking the form of a fun comic-book inspired design. ‘Super Strong’, ‘Super Smart’, ‘Super Smiley’, ‘Super Safe’ and ‘Super Sustainable’ will teach pupils about the benefits of being active and reinforce the power of walking.
 
Last year, almost 200,000 children across the country took part in Walk to School Week with this year looking to be bigger than ever. 

Mary Creagh, Chief Executive, Living Streets said: “Walk to School Week is a fun, inclusive, free and simple activity, which improves the physical and mental wellbeing of children and celebrates walking for all. 

“Pupils enjoy the health and happiness that comes from walking, while schools and local communities enjoy reduced congestion and pollution. 

“We’re thrilled that families nationwide are joining us this week and enjoying the fresh air, fun, freedom, and friendship that walking to school brings.” 

Walk to School Week further supports Northumberland’s call to residents to adopt more sustainable ways of getting around the county and save the environment whilst also benefitting their own health and wellbeing.  
 
The Big Northumberland Gear Change offers tips, advice and stories from fellow residents who have swapped how they get around. For more information on how you can play your part in Northumberland achieving net zero carbon emissions target by 2030 visit www.northumberlandgearchange.co.uk.   

For more information on Walk to School Week visit www.livingstreets.org.uk/wtsw