SCHOOL TRANSPORT
There will be a leaderboard
keeping track of how the teams are
doing – and there will be prizes for
the teams that travel the furthest.
The overall goal is to see if teams can
reach 25,000 miles – the equivalent
of travelling around the globe.
‘BEING PHYSICALLY ACTIVE IS
NOT A CHORE’
“It is free to take part and anyone
can join in,” said Councillor Bassam
Mahouz, cabinet member for transport,
environment and leisure. “It will be
a lot of fun and shows that being
physically active does not have to be a
chore. Getting involved will hopefully
encourage people to stay more active
and walk or cycle more around town
– and should also help set good habits
among schoolchildren for life.
“It is important because physical
activity can reduce your risk of illness,
including heart disease, diabetes
and other conditions – and is, of
course, a great mood-booster too.
“Beat the Street will transform Southall
into a giant ‘game’ where schools,
community groups and initiatives
compete to see who can travel
the furthest in return for points
and prizes and it will be exciting
to see how people get on.
“It has been run elsewhere
and proved successful –
and popular.”
‘CHILDREN WHO EXERCISE
CONCENTRATE MORE’
One of the schools due to take
part is Hambrough Primary,
in South Road. Headteacher
Louise Singleton said: “The
wellbeing of our pupils is of
paramount importance to
us and keeping active is a
significant part of all-round
health. Children who get
plenty of exercise also tend
to concentrate better in class.
Beat the Street looks like a fun,
engaging way to get even more
of our children and their families
Hambrough Primary School in Southall is
taking part in Beat the Street.
involved in walking and cycling to and
from school and for encouraging physical
activity as a part of their everyday life.”
Dr William Bird, founder of
Intelligent Health, the company that
will organise the Beat the Street
project, said it is estimated that 40%
of the UK population gets less than 30
minutes of physical activity per week.
Adults should be taking 150 minutes a
week and children 60 minutes a day.
He said: “We developed the game to
add a competitive element to physical
activity because being active has a
positive effect on 23 long term health
conditions. Additionally, getting out and
about in the fresh air is good for mental
health, reduces traffic congestion and
allows participants to enjoy their area.”
MORE INFO
■
Website:
beatthestreet.me/southall
■
Facebook:
Beat the Street Southall
■
Twitter: @BTSSouthall
around ealing
Autumn 2016
17