Thousands of school children from across Staffordshire are taking part in this year’s Walk to School Week celebration.
The annual campaign, from 15th to 19th May, is encouraging all children that can walk, to join in with the national festival of walking.
This year, in Staffordshire up to 18,000 pupils could be taking part. Over 380 schools are receiving promotional materials to help promote the event including, outdoor promotional banners, posters, and signs along with a range of digital resources. Schools can also request bookmarks for free as a reward for any pupils that make the effort to walk at least some of the way to school.
David Williams, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport at Staffordshire County Council said: “This is a fun campaign that we look forward to each year and it’s great to see so many schools joining in.
“Staying active and walking, cycling or scooting to school have so many benefits for the community and it’s something we are keen to see more of. More active travel helps to keep parents and children fit and healthy as well as helping reduce the amount of traffic on the roads which helps cut back on air pollution.
“I’d like to say a huge well done to those schools, children and parents taking part in this year’s event.”
The county council’s Active School Travel team also co-ordinates Bikeability, scooter training, and the Staffordshire STARS school travel planning scheme. Working in partnership with schools, the team are able to help improve physical health, air quality and ease congestion at the school gates.
Further details for parents and schools on the campaign, or how to get involved in active school travel activities in Staffordshire is available at www.staffordshire.gov.uk/activeschooltravel
