As students get ready to return to school next week, VicHealth hopes primary school children across Victoria will be gearing up for Walktober-Walk-to-School on Wednesday, 21 October 2009.
This is the fourth year that VicHealth has run this highly successful event as a part of Walktober - an initiative developed by Kinect Australia in collaboration with VicHealth, to raise the profile of walking and highlight its broader community health and social benefits.
“Last year 322 primary schools across Victoria participated in the event, with just over 60,000 children walking to school on the day. That’s 112 more schools and about 21,000 more children than participated in the 2006 event,” explained VicHealth Chief Executive Todd Harper.
With growing concerns for the environment and an alarming increase in childhood obesity, the VicHealth Chief Executive says there has never been a better time to encourage children to walk to school.
“The benefits of walking go far beyond physical activity and health benefits - walking can change your world; your neighbourhood, local community, suburb or city,” Mr Harper added.
A VicHealth survey, sent to more than 500 schools that have participated in Walktober Walk-to-School since it was first run in 2006, has found the event is encouraging more children to walk and cycle to school.
“What we found is that Walktober Walk-to-School is having a positive impact on children’s mobility and it’s also increasing awareness about the physical and mental benefits of walking,” the VicHealth Chief Executive said.
The survey also found that the event has demonstrated to parents that their children can walk safely to school, and that it enhances existing initiatives and has led to additional walk-to-school activities.
“We’ve found that it gives families and neighbours a reason to get to know each other. It’s strengthening local communities and getting more people out onto the streets, which builds healthy, connected communities,” Mr Harper added.
Every primary school principal across Victoria has been sent an information pack inviting their school to join in and VicHealth is encouraging more schools and their students to take up the challenge this year.
In recognition of their efforts, all schools that register for Walktober-Walk-to-School will receive a Certificate of Participation and stickers from VicHealth and will be included in a draw for major sports prizes.
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