London,
21
June
2009
|
23:00
Europe/London

Walking ‘n’ talking to school is a winner

A Dalston pupil has scooped the grand prize in the Kiss FM National Walk to School Week competition in Hackney.

During the week, 18-22 May, primary school children across the borough were encouraged to take up the challenge to ‘Walk ‘n’ Talk’ on their way to school, to experience the health and social benefits that walking together provides.

Michelle Nwachukwu, 10, from Our Lady and St Joseph RC Primary, E8, won the competition with a rap about how enjoyable walking to school with friends can be. She was recorded for a Kiss FM podcast, and won a digital camera and Walk ’n’ Talk t-shirt.

A massive 239 entries were received, with all receiving a ‘Strider’ badge. Nine pupils also bagged runner up prizes of Walk ’n’ Talk t-shirts. Four, Una, Aoife, Phoebe-Jane and Rebecca, were from Our Lady and St Joseph; two, Jenine and Ramani, from St John and St James Primary in Homerton; and three, Scarlett, Molly and Kyra, from Jubilee Primary, N16.

Councillor Alan Laing, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, said:
“This year’s Walk to School competition has been a great success in Hackney. It has helped to raise awareness and encourage our young people to do their bit to support the Council’s bid to tackle climate change and promote sustainable transport in the borough. Well done to everyone involved.”

Walking is a fun and healthy way to travel to and from school. To keep up the momentum for walking to school, Hackney has launched a new competition, The Golden Shoe.

The winner will be the Hackney school that records the highest percentage of students walking to school at least once a week during the months of June, July and September.

For more information about the competition, or about walking and cycling to school in Hackney, contact Georgie Burchell on 020 8356 8469; georgie.burchell@hackney.gov.uk ; or visit: www.hackney.gov.uk/walkingandcyclingtoschool-competitions