Member Article

Schools encouraged to Go the Extra Mile

International sports star Aly (Alyson) Dixon urged youngsters to “get on their bike” when she visited a Tyneside school.

Taking time out of her preparations for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow where she is representing Team England in the marathon, Aly also urged them to forget the bus and walk to school when she popped into George Stephenson High School in Killingworth.

Her visit marked the launch of Go the Extra Mile Day scheduled for Wednesday July 9. It is organised by Schools Go Smarter – the green and healthy travel initiative.

As part of Go the Extra Mile Day, schools across Tyne and Wear will compete to see how many of their pupils can find greener and healthier ways of getting to and from school with a prize of up to £2,000.

Participating pupils all receive a special wristband and every 100th entrant who signs up at www.gosmarter.co.uk will receive a £25 gift voucher for intu Eldon Square or intu Metrocentre.

Aly said: “I’ve always enjoyed competing, and Go the Extra Mile Day is a fantastic way for schools to enjoy some healthy rivalry and at the same time raise awareness of ways we can all make better choices about how we travel to and from school.”

Leader of Newcastle City Council, Cllr Nick Forbes, who is also the lead member for transport on the North East Combined Authority, said: “We’d love to see as many schools as possible take part in this challenge, and for pupils to benefit from walking or cycling to and from school.

“By leaving the car at home and finding alternative ways to make the school run, parents and students can become healthier and fitter and at the same time, reduce congestion on the roads and help boost the region’s economy.”

Cllr Frank Lott, North Tyneside Council’s Cabinet member with responsibility for Strategic Transport, said: “This challenge is an excellent way of inspiring our young people to try different ways of travelling to school. Hopefully it will inspire pupils to make some permanent, positive changes to their school travel routine and help to reduce local school-run congestion in the longer-term.”

Schools wishing to take part in the one day event can register online at www.gosmarter.co.uk and parents and pupils over 13 can share images of their journey to school on Wednesday 9 July by posting images on Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #GoTheExtraMile or by using the twitter handle @GoSmarterToWork.

Schools Go Smarter is designed to help schools, children and their families find alternative and sustainable ways to get to and from school, which are not only better for the environment but also reduce traffic congestion.

For more information about Go Smarter to School and ‘Go the Extra Mile Day’, please visit www.gosmarter.co.uk

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Astute.Work .