Pupils from schools across the Island are celebrating after taking part in the Isle of Wight Council’s Walk to School Week count.
Nearly 140 students took part and clocked up the miles over the challenge, which took place between 22nd May and 26th May. The event was aimed at encouraging students to walk to school on as many days as they could over that week, using a record sheet to make a note of how long they walked for and to write or draw a picture of something interesting they saw on their way.
Organised by the council’s Sports Development Unit, in partnership with Dinosaur Isle and 1Leisure, every entry was entered into a prize draw. Prizes on offer included a family ticket to the Dinosaur Isle museum, free Active8 days and family/group swims at 1Leisure Medina or the Heights. The lucky winners received their prizes at the end of last week (9th June).
Isle of Wight Council Cabinet Member for infrastructure and transport, Councillor Ian Ward, said:
“I am delighted to see that Island pupils have really embraced the sustainable travel benefits from the Walk to School Week and have been rewarded for the way in which they committed to this challenge.
“I hope that their involvement will inspire more pupils, parents and teachers to walk or cycle to school and avoid the congested school run.”
The challenge was organised as part of the Isle of Wight Council Access Fund for Sustainable Travel programme, which is funded by the Department for Transport (DfT). The aim of the DfT’s Access Fund for Sustainable Travel is to support the local economy by supporting access to new and existing employment, education and training; and actively promote increased levels of physical activity through walking and cycling.
Winners:
- Courtney, Age 9, from Broadlea primary – Family entry to Dinosaur Isle museum
- Madeline Walker, Age 11, from Newport C of E primary – 1 Free days activity at Activ8 with 1Leisure Medina
- Jessica Cooper, Age 10, from Gatten and Lake primary – 1 Free days activity at Activ8 with 1Leisure Medina
- Sophier, Age 7, from Newport C of E primary – 1 Group/Family swim at 1Leisure Medina or the Heights
- Ollie Maidment, Age 6, from Broadlea primary – 1 Group/Family swim at 1Leisure Medina or the Heights
- Mia Stacey, Age 7, from Haylands primary – 1 Group/Family swim at 1Leisure Medina or the Heights
- Theo Rose, Age 5, from Wootton primary – 1 Group/Family swim at 1Leisure Medina or the Heights
