Pupils in Scotland are celebrating national Walk to School Week (16 – 20 May) with a series of events and a special guest.
Walk to School Week is organised by Living Streets, the UK charity for everyday walking. Families are encouraged to walk, wheel, cycle, scoot or ‘Park and Stride’ for the week to see the big differences that come from small steps, from healthier and happier children to fewer cars outside the school gates.
Pupils at schools in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Shetland, Stirling, Moray, Orkney, Renfrewshire, Thurso and Wick are being joined by Strider, the Living Streets mascot for a series of events to celebrate Walk to School Week.
Living Streets is working with Scotland schools to deliver WOW – the walk to school challenge in over 120 schools.
WOW is a pupil-led initiative where children self-report how they get to school every day using the interactive WOW Travel Tracker. Pupils who travel actively at least once a week for a month are rewarded with a WOW badge.
Chris Thompson, Schools Manager, Living Streets Scotland said: “Walk to School Week is a fantastic excuse to celebrate the many social, health and environmental benefits that come from walking to school.
“Schools across Scotland are working really hard to get more active on the school run and reduce congestion outside the school gates. We’re thrilled to be taking Strider along to meet some of the pupils swapping the school run for a school walk on what will be Strider’s furthest visit north!”
Mrs Caroline Leask, ‘Road Safety Lead Teacher’, Sound Primary School, Shetland said: “Sound Primary School are delighted to be selected as Living Streets feature school and are thrilled to welcome Strider to launch the WOW challenge.
“Our pupils are enjoying taking part in the Walk To School challenge each day and earning their badges. The campaign has encouraged pupils to take more active journeys to and from school whilst also being ECO friendly in their travel options.”