Warrington South MP Andy Carter joined pupils from Stockton Heath Primary School on 6 May to celebrate National Walking Month and the strides they are taking to get more active on the school run. The MP took part in a walk to school with the pupils where he heard all about the benefits they have experienced from walking to school.
Stockton Heath Primary School takes part in WOW – the walk to school challenge from Living Streets, the UK charity for everyday walking.
A generation ago, 70 per cent of primary school aged children walked to school. Now that figure is less than half. Living Streets is working with schools to reverse the decline in walking rates. WOW schools typically see an increase in walking rates by 23 per cent with a 30 per cent reduction in cars driving to the school gates.
In April 2022, 95 per cent of the journeys to school recorded on the WOW Travel Tracker by pupils at Stockton Heath Primary School were active – meaning pupils either walked, wheeled, cycled, scooted or used Park and Stride.
Andy Carter MP joined Living Streets’ mascot, Strider and Stephen Edwards, CEO of Living Streets, to walk to school with pupils and to lead in an assembly.
Speaking after the visit, Andy Carter MP said: “It was brilliant to be able to join the children this morning at their assembly to celebrate National Walking Month. We’ve seen around 95 per cent of children from Stockton Heath Primary School participating in one form or another in Living Streets’ walk to school challenge, truly leading the way in Warrington.
“Walking to school is about more than just the health benefits, it’s also about contributing to air quality and protecting our environment. Getting young people involved at an early age will make a big difference with the choices they make as they grow, so it’s been especially encouraging to see such great participation.”
Stephen Edwards, Interim CEO of Living Streets said: “It was fantastic to celebrate National Walking Month and the many benefits walking can bring with pupils from Stockton Heath Primary School. Families and staff at the school are doing a wonderful job to help more children get active on the journey to school. I’m sure they will help inspire many people to give more walking and wheeling a go.”
