Walk to School with Winns!

Winn Solicitors is proud to be supporting a national charity campaign to encourage children to walk to school more often, in turn reducing traffic dangers around schools.

As specialists in road traffic accident claims, we are passionate about the safety of pedestrians, as well as other road users. We’re sponsoring three local primary schools – Byker Primary, St Lawrence RC Primary, and Tyneview Primary – which will allow them to take part in National Walk to School Week.

The nationwide initiative which takes place from 16-20th May 2016, is run by Living Streets, a UK charity which champions walking to school, and aims to reverse the decline in the numbers of children who walk to school. Figures show that since the 1970’s the amount of primary school children walking to school has almost halved.

Last year, more than 14,000 classes, which amount to approximately 400,000 children, took part in Walk to School Week. The week of activity is a great stepping stone to encourage year-round activity and behavioural change.

Winns sponsorship means that the schools will receive a range of resources, including classroom activity packs and reward materials which can be used to promote the health benefits of walking and increase children’s awareness of road safety on their way to and from school.

Michael Warmington, Associate Director at Winn Solicitors said: “Walk to School Week is a fantastic initiative and is a great way to encourage children, their parents and carers to walk by promoting the health benefits of a more active lifestyle. It also highlights important safety messages to help reduce the possibilities of accidents occurring and make everybody aware of what they can do to stay safe around schools.”

Emily Sunderland, Associate Solicitor at Winns added: “As a local business, we feel that it is important to maintain strong links with our community and we are delighted to be able to support three schools to take part in a very worthwhile and enjoyable campaign.”

Linda Bradley, Head Teacher at Byker Primary School added: “We are all looking forward to taking part in Walk to School Week and thanks to the support of Winn Solicitors we will be able to implement a number of fun activities over the week, which help to promote extremely important messages to pupils across all year groups about being active and road safety aware.”

Joe Irvin, Chief Executive at Living Streets said: “It’s wonderful to see Winn Solicitors generously donate funds to help children in its local community.

“The majority of children are not getting their recommended 60 minutes of daily exercise. Walking to school is a free and easy way for children to build exercise into their day. Plus, physically active children are more alert and ready to learn.

“On top of that, walking to school also helps to reduce the dangers associated with congestion and parking around school gates.

“I’d encourage everyone to get involved and take part in the walk to school campaign.”

On the back of Winn Solicitors’ involvement, the local education authority has further boosted support for the campaign and pledged to match-fund the law firm’s donation to sponsor three additional schools, which will enable them to also take part in Walk to School Week.

National Walk to School Week will take place between 16th and 20th May.  For more information please visit www.livingstreets.org.uk/walktoschool

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