A primary school near Sudbury launched its daily mile campaign for pupils to coincide with this year’s Sport Relief.
The whole of Wells Hall Community Primary School, in Great Cornard, took part in the initiative to get students to walk, jog or run a mile every day.
More than 500 pupils, staff and parents took part in the event today at the home of Cornard Dynamos Youth Football Club, and money from the £1 entry fee and sale of refreshments was donated to Sport Relief.
The aim of the daily mile campaign is to improve the physical, social, emotional and mental health and wellbeing of children – regardless of age, ability or personal circumstances.
Parents of schools which have taken part in the campaign have reported an increased interest in health and wellbeing from their children after they have started the daily mile.
Kieran Lawler, 27, PE specialist at Wells Hall, said: “It went really well and was great fun. We had pupils, staff and parents all taking part and the children absolutely loved it.
“The support from the parents has been fantastic and after Easter we will be continuing the daily mile at school.
“It’s a great opportunity for the children to exercise and the long-term aim is get everyone running or jogging a mile in 15 minutes.
“Exercise brings so many benefits to the children, it tackles obesity and also helps with their concentration.
“We thought it would be a good idea to link the launch in with Sport Relief and we’ve managed to raise a bit of money as well through the entry fee and teas and coffees.”
• A walking football team from Colchester are also playing a starring role in this year’s Sport Relief after being invited to Salford to take part in the BBC’s live event tonight.
Colchester Phoenix Walking Football Club were among only 30 football clubs nationwide to have been selected to take part in the Sport Relief 5 Live-A-Side Challenge, playing against a BBC celebrity team led by former Manchester United and Welsh international footballer Robbie Savage.
From an initial membership of 14 there are now 27 playing members registered with the club and the team currently lies fifth in the English Southern Premier League.
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