Tag: Elaine Wyllie

Scotland is world’s first Daily Mile Nation

Key target to involve all 32 local authorities is met

Scottish children have stepped their way into the history books as the country is confirmed as the world’s first Daily Mile Nation.

Around 187,000 school children in all of Scotland’s local authority areas are getting active for at least fifteen minutes a day meeting the criteria agreed with the Daily Mile Foundation. More than half of primary schools are now signed up to the Daily Mile.

The initiative is proven to improve the wellbeing of children across the country, as part of wider efforts to improve overall health and reduce the pressure on the NHS over winter.

It was started by former Head Teacher Elaine Wyllie of St Ninian’s Primary in Stirling in 2012 and has grown every year – extending beyond schools into communities and workplaces and encouraging more people in Scotland to get on the move.  

The Scottish Football Association is backing the initiative using its extensive network of community clubs to promote the role of physical activity in health and wellbeing.

Public Health Minister Maree Todd said: “We want Scotland to become a nation where more people are more active, more often. The benefits of instilling these habits early are plain to see – children will see the joy of walking, running or wheeling which will boost their health in the long term, and reduce the strain on our NHS.

“I try to do a Daily Mile whenever I can and there is no doubt I always feel better for it.

“I consider this initiative to be one of Scotland’s best exports – building on our success, other home nations and countries around the world are now embracing The Daily Mile initiative.  Scotland continues to lead the way on a global scale.”

Founder of The Daily Mile Elaine Wyllie MBE said: “From one school in Stirling to Scotland to becoming a Daily Mile Nation, I am incredibly proud of all the schools, teachers and children that have helped us achieve this milestone and I would like to take this opportunity to thank them and our partners across Scotland. 

“The Daily Mile was created by children which I truly believe is why it has been so successful and is now reaching nearly 4 million children around the world.”

Daily Mile UK Partnership Manager Fiona Paterson said: “In our joint strategy published in 2020, The Daily Mile Foundation and the Scottish Government set out the key targets which would signify that Scotland could be recognised as the world’s first Daily Mile nation.

“We are delighted to announce that these targets have been met and that the foundations have been laid for further work to continue to embed the INEOS backed Daily Mile across the country’.

Scottish FA Chief Executive Ian Maxwell said: “The Scottish FA recognises the unique reach of football and the importance that physical activity can play in the health and wellbeing of children and young people in this country, and we are thrilled to support this initiative as Scotland becomes the world’s first Daily Mile Nation.

“Opportunities to exercise on and off the pitch should be available to everyone and through our network of community football clubs and local partners, we are ready to play our part and use the power of football to inspire the country to become more active.”

The Daily Mile Scotland: National strategy

Eilidh Doyle joins thousands of primary school children to run Scotland’s first National Daily Mile

18th JUNE: Scotland Does The Daily Mile

●     Every school in Scotland is invited to bring the nation together on 18th June to take part in “Scotland Does The Daily Mile.”

●     The Daily Mile Foundation is also very excited to announce Olympic athlete and teacher Eilidh Doyle as the first ambassador for Scotland Does The Daily Mile Campaign and The Daily Mile #TravelTo Tokyo.

●     Elaine Wyllie, Founder of The Daily Mile says, “Getting our children active is more important than ever, and it is very encouraging to see so many schools already signed up to Scotland Does The Daily Mile. The past year has been challenging for everyone and we want to get that sense of community and comradery back. I hope you can all join us for our six week challenge which finishes with Scotland Does The Daily Mile event on the 18th June!”

●     The Daily Mile currently has over 3 million children running a mile every day across 12,000 schools in 80 countries.

The Daily Mile Foundation supported by Scottish Athletics, INEOS and SAMH is to host its first national event across Scottish schools on 18th June.

Over 40% of schools in Scotland are already signed up to The Daily Mile and many more are expected to join across the country in coming weeks. The event aims to encourage children to be more active, to improve their physical, mental, social health and wellbeing.

The Daily Mile is a transformative initiative where children run, jog, wheel or walk for fifteen minutes every day. The initiative has enjoyed phenomenal success since it was started by Elaine Wyllie eight years ago when she was headteacher at a primary school in Stirling.

The Daily Mile Foundation is also pleased to announce Eilidh Doyle, Olympic medallist and Scotland’s most decorated track and field athlete is encouraging schools across Scotland to get involved. Eilidh has been nominated as the ambassador for “Scotland does the Daily Mile”. Her love for running alongside combined with expertise as a teacher is inspiring for children up and down the country.

Eilidh said, “I’m delighted to be the Ambassador for The Daily Mile in Scotland and support this project as I think it is a really positive initiative to get young people more active. As a former teacher I approve!”

“It’s fantastic to see so many schools signed up so far and I’d urge as many schools as possible to get involved. I’m excited to be endorsing this programme because I feel passionately that youngsters should be given the opportunity to be active and that hopefully starts out at primary school. Exercising with friends is so much fun and being active from a young age has many benefits.”

Robert Nesbitt, Head of Physical Activity and Sport at SAMH said: “Over recent months children and young people have faced unprecedented challenges; with disruption to their routines, changes in their education and time away from their family and friends, which we know has affected their wellbeing and mental health.

“Now that schools have returned, physical activity is a brilliant way for children and young people to get involved and feel connected again, which is why SAMH is delighted to support The Daily Mile initiative, which encourages young people to come together to get active and in turn develop vital connections with their peers and teachers.”

The Daily Mile currently has over 3 million children running a daily mile across 12,000 schools in 80 countries but this is the first national event in Scotland of its kind. The hope is to capture the camaraderie that children have missed while schools have been closed, providing young people the opportunity to be active, have fun with their friends in this health and wellbeing initiative.

Elaine Wyllie, Founder of The Daily Mile says: “Getting our children active is more important than ever, and it is very encouraging to see so many schools already signed up to The Daily Mile in Scotland.

“The past year has been challenging for everyone and we want to get that sense of community and fun back in our schools. I hope you can all still join us for our Travel To Tokyo challenge which finishes with Scotland Does The Daily Mile event on the 18th June! There’s still plenty of time to get involved!”

“Scotland Does The Daily Mile” will also mark the finale of a six week challenge The Daily Mile #TravelToTokyo, which began on the 10th May encouraging teams of children to run, jog, or wheel the equivalent distance of Scotland to Tokyo, learning about different countries along the way, in a celebration for the upcoming events this summer.

Schools can register for free here.

* SAMH is the Scottish Association for Mental Health

For more information on The Daily Mile itself, please visit: https://thedailymile.co.uk/