Community Impact
October 24, 2013This month pupils from across the North West will be joining forces with thousands of children from across the UK and over 40 countries worldwide, to celebrate International Walk to School Month.
Teaming up with local housebuilder, David Wilson Homes North West, eight primary schools in the region are encouraging the pupils to reap the benefits of walking to school throughout October. Despite the average distance to a pupil’s primary school being just one mile, around 50 per cent of children do not walk to school regularly, with an enormous 41 per cent being driven.
Steve Jackson, Sales Director at David Wilson Homes North West, comments: “A large number of our new housing developments are located within close proximity to schools, and with families moving in it makes perfect sense for us to support International Walk to School Month. By offering pupils a helping hand through the donation of 50 hi-visibility tabards and 300 snap bands to each school, the pupils will be encouraged to walk to school and can stay safe as winter approaches and the dark nights draw in.”
It is widely recommended that children get at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day and therefore walking to school is the ideal time for children to be active. Studies have revealed that walking to school reduces stress in children, and simply walking one mile a day was found to curb increases in blood pressure and heart rate in later life.
Studies have also revealed that 90 per cent of parents who walk to school with their children believe it’s a great way to spend quality time with them and over a third stated that the journey to and from school is where they find out the most about their child’s day.
Mr Hawthornthwaite, Head Teacher at Longshaw Community Junior School in Blackburn, commented: “We believe walking to school is important so try to encourage as many of our pupils as possible to do so in a safe and sensible fashion. Walking to school not only benefits our pupils’ health but it also helps to reduce congestion outside the school gates. It is great to see a developer support such a valuable initiative and we really appreciate the donation from David Wilson Homes North West.”
David Wilson Homes North West’s boasts developments across the region, from the flagship Chapelford Village in Warrington, which includes six developments to Hawley Gardens in Thornton Cleveleys, which has been Highly Commended by Wyre Council in its Building Excellence Awards 2012.
David Wilson Homes has also recently commenced work on number of new developments, including Winnington Village, Northwich and Cuerden Heights, P Clayton le Woods, Leyland.
For further information about any of David Wilson Homes North West’s developments, please call 0844 8113366 or visit www.dwh.co.uk.