Local MP, Caroline Dinenage took part in The Daily Mile with Year 2 children from Grange Infant School today.
Members of Parliament across the UK are taking part in the MP Daily Mile Initiative to encourage more schools to sign up to the growing children's health and well-being movement.
The Daily Mile is a free, simple yet profoundly effective movement aimed at helping children get fit for learning and fit for life. Founded in 2012 in Stirling, Scotland by Elaine Wyllie, The Daily Mile simply involves 15 minutes of running or jogging, with walking kept to a minimum, outside around the school playground or perimeter every day.
Since its inception, The Daily Mile has spread to over 6,400 schools worldwide with over 1.3 million children taking part and is now in workplaces, hospitals and other healthcare settings too. The Daily Mile focuses on inclusivity and is beneficial to all children and adults regardless of age, ability or personal circumstances.
Caroline said:
"It was fantastic to join in The Daily Mile with Grange Infants today, both the children and teachers were so enthusiastic and I heard some great stories of what a difference it has made!
The impacts of taking part in the Daily Mile can be transformational for children – after just four weeks, The Daily Mile sees noticeable improvements in children's concentration, behaviour, attainment, moods and of course fitness levels."
Sarah Duffy, Executive Headteacher, Grange Infant School said:
"Since introducing the daily mile at Grange Infant School, we have been extremely pleased by the commitment and enthusiasm from the children, staff and parents in support of our daily run. The mile was introduced at the start of the Autumn term by our AHT, Emma Poate, who had seen the mile in action at other schools and the benefits it has for children's learning in terms of their fitness and readiness for learning.
It was lovely to have Caroline Dinenage with us today, joining in with and supporting the mile, and we look forward to seeing the continued health benefits for our children over the months to come."