Health kick

05/07/2007

Children from Blenheim Primary School in Leigh have made it their goal to lead healthier lifestyles.

They are among 3,000 children who have signed up to be part of the ‘Southend United Bodycare Programme’ healthy living initiative, a five-week health promotion scheme aimed at both infant and junior school children.

The initiative has been organised by the Southend United Community and Educational Trust and Southend Schools’ Healthy Partnership and is supported by Essex & Suffolk Water as part of its ‘Water for Health’ campaign.

Children taking part in the initiative are taught about the importance of drinking water, eating a balanced diet and leading an active lifestyle.

Each lesson in the five-week programme lasts one hour and consists of classroom and practical activities.

This year, over 100 classes from schools from the Southend area have taken part and on July 18th the school which has performed the best on the programme this academic year will be invited to take part in a VIP day at the Southend United Football ground.

As part of its support, Essex & Suffolk Water has donated bottles of its ‘97’ tap water to teach the children how important it is to keep hydrated. 97 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 Southend United  Bodycare programme. 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.”

Steve Godsell, chairman of the Southend United Community and Educational Trust added: “We are 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.”

The scheme is currently taking bookings for the next academic year, call Sarah Potts on 07740 626226 for further information.

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