Hamilton College WeeWalk

WeeWalks have firmly become part of the school calendar at Hamilton College with children participating annually each September.

In 2010 325 children from the Nursery, Junior School and S1 took part in the event which was the first of its kind to take place in a Scottish school.  The response from teachers, pupils and parents was phenomenal, with over £5000 being raised for WildHearts.  This September Hamilton College once again hosted their very own WeeWalk, with the whole school out in force to get active and learn about healthy lifestyles and helping others.

Participating 'WeeWalkers' at the events followed a one or three mile route around the school playing fields and Hamilton Park Racecourse and were entertained along the route by a host of fun characters, including giant monkeys, bears, cats, cowboys and, in keeping with the healthy theme, a huge strawberry! The cute and colourful characters, played by Sixth Year pupils, were on hand to dish out healthy snacks, helping the ‘WeeWalkers’ to re-fuel and learn unique ways to get their 5 A Day.   As well as getting active with their friends at the event, participating children had been encouraged to adopt healthier eating habits in the run up to the WeeWalk by following an eye catching WildHearts healthy eating chart.

WildHearts also aimed to show participating children how they can make a difference in the world and become ‘Global Citizens’ by encouraging them to raise funds for their micro-finance projects in the developing world.  WildHearts tackle global poverty by providing micro-loans and business training to some of the world’s poorest people, enabling them to work their way out of poverty, support their families and send their children to school.  At the Hamilton College WeeWalk each pupil received a colourful info pack which brought WildHearts’ work to life and explained how their efforts have helped other families and children.  Through their collective efforts the pupils raised over £5000 for the charity in 2010 and because WildHearts microloans are typically repaid and relent three times a year, the pupils will continue to help more people work their way out of poverty every year.