Planting For A Better Future

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Local school children show their support for a greener, healthier borough

Primary school children in Hammersmith & Fulham are showing their support for a greener, healthier London by planting trees in their school grounds and making a promise to walk to school at least once a week

As part of this year's good going travel awareness weeks pupils from St John's Walham Green Primary School and St Thomas of Canterbury Primary School joined more than thirty other London schools in a synchronised tree planting last week.

More than 7,000 children helped to plant trees in their schools to kick-start the WoW (Walk on Wednesday) programme, and also tied their own personalised campaign promises to the trees. The trees will act as a constant reminder of the promise to walk to school at least once a week made by the school and their pupils.

The pupils have written letters to local businesses to get their support for walking wherever possible by asking them to sponsor a WoW plaque for their school. The plaque will be inscribed with the names of the schools and all supporting businesses' and will sit under the tree

The pupils will be supported in the project by their borough schools travel advisors to encourage other students, parents and staff to walk to school on the day, and to pledge to continue to Walk on Wednesday or Walk once a Week as often as they can.

So far 160,000 London pupils have signed up to the WoW scheme and it is hoped that the synchronised tree planting will encourage even more pupils and parents to walk to school.

Schools with a WoW programme promote walking to and from school on a regular basis, helping to reduce local traffic congestion caused by the school run and to improve children's fitness.
This is further supported by various initiatives which are part of the borough's school travel plan programme.

The Good Going travel awareness campaign which co-ordinates Good Going Week supplied the trees to participating schools.

WoW is part of Good Going Week which runs from 15 to 24 September. The Good Going travel awareness campaign works in partnership with London boroughs, businesses, other sustainable transport organisations and NHS trusts to promote sustainable travel options. This includes walking, cycling, public transport, car sharing or low-emission vehicles.

Richard Evans, Hammersmith & Fulham Council's school travel adviser, said "Walking to school is good for the kids and good for everyone else too! It helps tackle rising childhood obesity levels as well as cutting congestion, pollution and road danger. Children that have exercised on the way to school are more ready to settle and more receptive to learning. They need and have a right to daily exercise - it is as vital as the current focus on their need to eat wholesome, nutritious food."

 

 

September 25, 2006