Stepping up to the challenge

Buy photos » St Nicholas Middle School pupils Abi Weaver, ten, Niamh Irvine, Safi Henning and Joe Daffin, all nine, enjoy counting steps with their pedometers. Picture by Marcus Mingins 4412002MMR

STEP-by-step, children at a Vale school have been getting fitter by taking part in a 50-day challenge.

Pupils in Year 5 and 6 at St Nicholas C of E Middle School in Pinvin have all been given pedometers by the Global Children's Challenge charity to encourage them to walk, run and jump about as much as they can.

Their step count is then recorded each day in their own step-by-step booklet.

The more steps recorded by everyone the further they can travel and explore on a virtual journey around the world on the charity's website.

At the end of the 50 days, which finishes on Wednesday (November 7) the children taking part get to keep their pedometers and the class that has travelled the furthest will be announced.

Katie Whitehead, the teacher leading the activity, said: "The pedometers have really encouraged us all to move a lot more, either through sports clubs, or simply running about with friends outside or walking when we might normally have taken the car. And it has meant that our families, too, have become a lot more aware of keeping physically active.

"We have seen a significant increase in the number of children joining the wide range of sports clubs we offer, either at lunchtime or after school – from football, rugby and netball, to gymnastics, touch rugby and running; there is something active for everyone. And the boost in numbers could well be down to the pedometer challenge!"

Regional news »