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News

National Walk to School Week

We're going bananas in Poole and getting bottled up about walking to school! In May, Transportation Officers from the Borough of Poole are working with staff from the local Fitness First Club to promote walking to school as an alternative to the car. The school run causes all sorts of problems and children and parents are making the decision to leave the car at home and walk to and from school.

As part of National Walk to School Week running May 24 to 28, Fitness First are supplying a free water bottle or a banana to children walking to school in the Hamworthy/Oakdale area. They will be joining Borough of Poole Officers and Elected Members to distribute the freebies and hope to encourage healthy eating and better fitness levels amongst the school population.

The benefits of walking are many, from simply getting exercise, saving money, making new friends, reducing congestion and pollution and … eating bananas and drinking water.

Councillor Ron Parker, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for the Local Economy said: "We are delighted at this initiative to promote healthy and safe travel to school, which will help to ease road congestion in Hamworthy and Oakdale. It is hoped that the supplies of bananas and bottled water will be a great encouragement to the young and the not so young."

Jason Tubbs, General Manager of Fitness First in Poole, said: "Fitness First Poole are privileged to be part of Walk to School Week to help inspire and encourage young people to recognise the importance of exercise whilst helping the environment and traffic congestion around local schools."

National Walk to School Week is aimed at encouraging the whole community to walk to school in line with the National Walk to School Campaign. The national theme is to promote social capital – the idea that by leaving the car at home, we meet and talk to one another in the street, gain new friends and maintain the health of our communities. Children and young people can meet and socialise on the way to school, and the adults in the area will be able to see other people face to face rather than just sitting in a box.

Sally Funnell, Cycling and Walking Officer, Transportation Services, Borough of Poole telephone 01202 262066