Search is on for official poster for Walk to School Week 2013

REGIONAL Development Minister Danny Kennedy is calling on primary school children in Ballymena to help design a poster to promote the many benefits of walking to school.

The Minister was speaking as he launched a competition for the official poster of Walk to School Week 2013, organised by the Department for Regional Development’s Travelwise team.

Danny Kennedy said: “This competition will give primary school children a chance to actively shape this year’s Walk to School Week initiative by designing a creative poster based on the 2013 theme Spring in Your Step.

“Walking to school helps children feel more energetic and healthy. It lessens traffic on the roads during peak hours and helps the environment too. Over 20 per cent of car journeys in the mornings are parents driving their children to school for a less than one mile journey. There are alternatives to the car and I want to thank all those children who have opted to walk to school.

“Walk to School Week is about encouraging more children to take to their feet and discover first-hand the health, financial, social and environmental benefits of sustainable travel. Last year over 1153 school children entered our competition and this year we are hoping that even more budding artists will join us as we give thought to the impact of our travel choices.”

Walk to School Week will take place from May 20-24.

The winning design of the poster competition will become the official poster for Walk to School Week 2013 and the winning pupil will receive a £100 voucher to be used for sports or cycling equipment at a supplier of their choice . The school of the winning pupil will also be rewarded with a £1000 voucher for a sports retailer of their choice in acknowledgement of their commitment to encouraging sustainable travel behaviour amongst their pupils.

For further information on Walk to School Week 2013 and the Design a Poster Competition visit www.nidirect.gov.uk/travelwise or call 0845 378 0908.

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