Schools go on health kick

14/12/2006

Thousands of children in schools across the Southend area are making it their goal to lead healthier lifestyles.

Essex & Suffolk Water has donated cash towards the ‘Blues BodyCare’ healthy living initiative organised by the Southend United Community and Educational Trust and the Southend Schools’ Healthy Living Partnership.

This programme is committed to giving children a healthy start in life by teaching them about the importance of drinking water, eating a balanced diet and leading an active lifestyle.

Essex & Suffolk Water has so far committed £2,000 of funding to the programme and will also be donating bottles of its ‘97’ tap water to support the initiative. The tap water comes in 500ml size bottles and its name reflects the 97 tests that tap water goes through from source to tap.

Jacqueline Searle from Essex & Suffolk Water said: "We are delighted to support the Blues Bodycare initiative.  We are always pleased to hear of healthy living programmes like this because as a company we are constantly raising awareness of the huge health benefits of drinking enough tap water.

"It is important to get children to think about adopting a healthy lifestyle from an early age and keeping hydrated by drinking around three to four glasses of water every day is a vital part of this."

So far, 36 infant and junior schools – 2,200 pupils - have signed up to take part in next year’s programme. It is hoped that even more children will sign up during 2007.

Steve Godsell, chairman of the Southend United Community and Educational Trust said: “We are extremely grateful to Essex & Suffolk Water for providing valuable funding to help deliver the programme.

“Water is essential to our well-being and it is vital that we encourage children to make sure water consumption forms part of our everyday diet.”

For further information please contact Claire Bishop on 01245 212 010.