Staffordshire steps up for National Walking Month
People in Staffordshire are being urged to lace up their shoes and step into a healthier lifestyle this May, as part of National Walking Month.
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Walking is one of the simplest ways to improve health and reduce stress while helping the environment. And, with many short journeys taken by car through habit, Staffordshire County Council is encouraging people to ditch the car and Walk This May instead.
Staffordshire schools are also invited to join the campaign with younger pupils encouraged to become ‘Walking Warriors’. Walking to school helps keep children active, improves focus in the classroom, and cuts down on congestion at the school gates.
Ryan Procter, from the Active Travel team at Staffordshire County Council, said: "Whether it’s walking to school, taking the dog out, or swapping a boardroom for a walking meeting, every step counts.
“We're excited to be supporting National Walking Month and launching our brand-new Walking Warriors campaign and hope to see as many people as possible getting involved.
“Walking is free, easy and brings so many benefits to our health and wellbeing – as well as helping reduce congestion and improving air quality in our communities.”
One Staffordshire school taking part in the campaign is St Wulstan’s Catholic Primary School in Wolstanton in Newcastle. Head teacher, Mr Grove said: “We are really enthusiastic to be taking part in the Walking Warriors Campaign.
“Reducing the number of cars around the school encouraging our pupils to walk where possible is a great way to make it much safer around the school. It also helps everyone breathe cleaner air as well as many other benefits to the health of the children, and the environment.”
School Council Member and pupil Stanley added: “We are really pleased to be taking part in the Walk to School Week campaign because it helps reduce our carbon footprint and helps save the planet. Walking is definitely a much healthier way to travel to and from school.”
Residents in Newcastle-under-Lyme can also join free community walks organized by the county council’s INTO team.
The campaign is inviting people to:
Walk to work or school where possible
Choose walking over short car journeys, such as popping to the shops
Enjoy strolls to local parks, libraries or cafés
Take walking meetings during the working day
Unplug with a family or pet-friendly walk outdoors
Resources are being made available for participating schools through the Active School Travel Team. Further information is available on the Walk this May campaign webpage
