Straid Primary pupils get a lesson in healthy living from Genevieve the goat

The visit to the school was part of a Cancer Focus campaign to highlight how eating better could help reduce cancer related illnesses.

Larger than life character Genevieve talked with children in P1 and P2 about the benefits of eating more fruit and vegetables and taking regular exercise.

Clare Smith, programme manager for schools and young people for Cancer Focus said: “The story of Genevieve and her friends has been designed to introduce healthy lifestyle messages to children at an age when research shows that they could have a more nutritional diet and lack physical activity.

“This has been shown to lead to obesity and an increased risk of cancers and other serious health conditions experts have warned.”

She added: “It’s thought around a third of all cancer deaths could be prevented by improved nutrition.

“Genevieve resources enable us to bring key health messages to local primary school children. We want to reduce children’s future risk of cancer through the positive messages of eating well and taking regular exercise – it’s about making the healthy option the fun option.”

Genevieve is part of Cancer Focus’s Schools Health Education Package for P1-P7 children and If you would like her to visit your school contact Sheree Wilson on 906 80730 or email [email protected].