21st July 2017
New scheme launches to encourage healthy living
Primary schools in Aldershot joined forces on Wednesday 19th July to celebrate the launch of a new healthy living scheme – the Aldershot Active Award.
Around 550 pupils and their parents from seven Aldershot Primary schools came together in the Wellesley Woodlands to launch the initiative, which encourages children and their families to get out and be active in the local community.
The Aldershot Active Award (AAA) inspires school children to take part in free or low-cost activities in the local area which then go towards achieving a bronze, silver and finally gold award badge which can be sewn on to their school jumper.
The event was opened by the inspirational ‘Team Trident’ – former soldiers and best friends, Jordan and Jon, who are completing an Atlantic rowing challenge: 3 Legs 2Men 1Huge Endeavour to raise money and awareness of the work of three charities: Dreamflight, Blesma and the Royal Ghurka Rifle Operational Fund. The pair have given talks at several Aldershot schools over the last two months to explain their challenge and to encourage children to get active.
Throughout the afternoon families explored the Wellesley Woodlands through an exciting treasure hunt, tested their coordination skills on rowing machines, went whizzing down a dry ski slope on donuts, enjoyed a thrilling gymnastics display, took part in puzzle solving games and more. Live music was performed throughout the event by bugle and pipe players.
Anne Wilson, Headteacher at Talavera Infant School, said: “We had a wonderful afternoon, it was so good to see so many children come together and take part in their first Aldershot Active Award event. We hope that families really get involved over the summer holidays so we can give away lots of badges when we return to school in September.”
Jordan Beecher from Team Trident, commented: “Inspiring children to be active and to challenge their own physical boundaries is an important part of our work in the lead up to our Atlantic challenge. It has been Team Trident’s pleasure to be part of encouraging children to participate in the Aldershot Active Award and we wish them all the best with the award and their activities over the summer.”
Victoria Webbon from The Land Trust, the national land management charity that manages Wellesley Woodlands, added: “It’s wonderful to see the Wellesley Woodlands being used to showcase and launch this great local initiative. We want to encourage as many children and their families as possible to get out and explore all the different trails and habitats to which the Wellesley Woodlands are home.”
The launch event was organised in partnership between Talavera Schools, Grainger plc, The Land Trust, the Blackwater Valley Countryside Partnership and the Aldershot Garrison.
Many local providers are taking part in the Aldershot Active Award. For more information, visit https://aldershotactiveaward.wordpress.com/
Find out more about Team Trident at: www.r2rteamtrident.com/
Stay up-to-date with events and activities at Wellesley Woodlands by visiting: www.wellesleywoodlands.co.uk
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