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Local Students Put Their Best Foot Forward This November

Healthy Together Latrobe is partnering the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth)

Healthy Together Latrobe is partnering the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth)

Healthy Together Latrobe is partnering the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth) and local primary schools to promote Walk to School, a program to encourage primary school students to walk to and

By Latrobe City - 7th November 2013 - Back to News

from school every day during November.

Latrobe City Council Mayor, Councillor Sandy Kam, said Walk to School raised awareness of the need for children to make walking part of their daily routine to improve fitness, friendships, their confidence and the environment.

"Walk to School activities fit well with our Council Plan that states that we will encourage and support our young people to pursue active recreation and sport," said Cr Kam.

"Walking to school is something that everybody can participate in. It doesn’t require a financial commitment and it doesn’t mean having to buy expensive sporting equipment or uniforms. It is something that even parents can join in – so there are health and wellbeing benefits across the ages.

"We know that this year there are more than 1,450 students registered to take part, from eight different primary schools across the municipality. There are schools in urban areas and schools in rural settings taking part, demonstrating that there is no barrier to walking to school."

Latrobe Community Health Service Health Promotion Officer Bonnie Dawson said that the children registered can keep track of their walks, with the help of a parent or teacher, using the Walk to School website and smartphone application.

"Most children don’t walk to school, and lack of exercise contributes to rising childhood obesity," said Ms Dawson.

"Walking can help turn this around. The problem is that parents tell us that time constraints, traffic, road safety and stranger danger all get in the way of kids walking to school.

"The good news is that once parents make the decision to walk with their children, they tend to realise that these fears are unwarranted and walking can be a wonderful family activity," said Ms Dawson.

Last year was VicHealth’s biggest Walk to School event ever. Around 11,500 primary school children walked a combined 241,115 kilometres.

Schools and students who take part in VicHealth’s Walk to School have the opportunity to win fantastic prizes. Walk to School 2013 is supported by Cotton On Kids.

To learn more visit www.walktoschool.vic.gov.au


Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com



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