Local schoolchildren recognised at annual Health Action Awards

St Nicholas' PS pupils, Eimear Rice, Kiyan Hariri and teacher Geraldine Doherty (second right) picked up their silver award from Action Cancers Arlene Creighton, Centras Rachael Dalzell and host Claire McCollum. INCT 26-746-CON

The Awards are part of Action Cancer’s unique Health Promotion Programme, sponsored by Centra, which has delivered healthy lifestyle messages to more than 14,500 young people in schools, nurseries and colleges this academic year and over 500,000 since its launch in 2003.

Pupils from Corran Integrated Primary School, Larne; St Bernard’s Primary, Glengormley, and St Nicholas Primary School in Carrickfergus were among the 10,000 children across the province who took part this year.

Forty schools picked up accolades for their innovative approach to health education, with the highest scoring schools in each Education and Library Board region receiving cash prizes of £200.

In addition, The Stewart Bryans Memorial Prize of £400 was awarded to St. Mary’s High School, Newry for demonstrating the best overall improvement this year to health education.

The schools awarded demonstrated good health promotion across various areas including providing healthy meal options, promoting healthy snacks and water and encouraging fun exercise programmes available to the school.

Action Cancer Health Promotion Manager Frances Dowds said: “Congratulations to all of the schools recognised at this year’s awards. We are delighted to be able to recognise the great work local schools carry out to provide their pupils with health education. It is so important for Action Cancer, with the support of Centra, to deliver our healthy lifestyle sessions and with our new-look programme we are looking forward to reaching even more schoolchildren in the new term.”

Centra Brand Manager, Jennifer Morton added: “Well done to all of the schools recognised at this year’s Health Action Awards and for their hard work throughout the year. Centra is delighted to support the promotion of healthy, active lifestyles for children across Northern Ireland and our retailers are proud to continue this long-term sponsorship of Action Cancer’s health programme and support young people within their local communities.”

More than 1,000 nurseries, schools and colleges in Northern Ireland have benefitted from the cancer prevention sessions which include information about keeping fit and active, eating well, being safe in the sun and avoiding the dangers of smoking and alcohol. The award-winning programme has raised £1 million since the partnership started.