Virendra Sharma MP

Virendra Sharma MP encourages local pupils to ‘Walk Your Way’ to school this national Walk to School Week

Virendra Sharma MP encourages local pupils to ‘Walk Your Way’ to school this national Walk to School Week

This May, primary schools right across Ealing Southall will be striding out on the pavements as they take part in a very important event: National Walk to School Week 2010 on  21 May and local MP Virendra Sharma will be joining residents walking to Dormers Well Infant School to celebrate the week. 

This year, the theme is ‘Walk Your Way’ which aims to encourage parents and children to get to know their local neighbourhood better by exploring it on foot. In addition to learning more about their local environment, children will be able to learn to orientate themselves on the journey to and from school, as well as learning vital road safety skills and keeping active.

National charity Living Streets works to create safe, attractive and enjoyable streets around the UK.  They run the highly successful Walk to School campaign, which encourages over two million children, parents and teachers to leave their cars at home and walk to school. 

Over the past two decades, the number of children who walk to school has dropped from 62% to 48%, with an enormous 43% being driven to school in cars - despite the fact that the majority of primary school pupils live within a 20 minute walk of their school.

Virendra Shamra MP Said:

“I am thrilled to be taking part in Living Streets’ Walk to School Week this year and hope that parents and children across Ealing Southall join me. Walking is key to fighting childhood obesity, but it can also be beneficial to children in other ways, helping them learn vital road safety skills, to interact with their local environment and to become ‘streetwise’ and develop independence.”

Tony Armstrong, Chief Executive of Living Streets said:

“Young children are often bundled from front door to car door without the opportunity to get out on foot, to learn about road safety and to get to know their local neighbourhood. 

“Often parents say they don’t have the time to walk, but many people underestimate the time it takes to travel by car or public transport and overestimate how long it takes to walk.  By walking, children can be taught important road safety messages, feel part of their community and gain the confidence they deserve.

“Even if you feel you live too far to commute the whole way on foot, why not try to ‘park and stride’? You can find somewhere to park away from the school and walk the rest of the way. Not only will you miss the rush to find a parking space, but you will also help ease congestion around the school and fit in some exercise for you and your children.”

For more information about national Walk to School Week, please visit www.walktoschool.org.uk.