The St Leonard's WeeWalk

WildHearts were delighted to hold a WeeWalk with St Leonard’s Primary School in East Kilbride as part of its national strategy to help children lead healthier, more active lifestyles.  WeeWalks aim to compliment government schemes to tackle childhood obesity and poor diet, which have been identified as amongst the most pressing issues facing our nation.

Despite the wet and wild weather, nearly 200 pupils from St Leonard’s Primary School were treated to an action packed day of adventure and fun – to learn about healthy lifestyles and helping others – at their bespoke WeeWalk event, which took place at Brancumhall Leisure fields on Thursday 31st March. Participating children followed a 1 mile or 2 mile route and were entertained along the way by a host of wacky characters, including giant monkeys, bears, cats, cowboys and, in keeping with the healthy theme, a huge strawberry! The cute and colourful characters 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 were encouraged to adopt healthier eating habits in the run up to the WeeWalk by following an eye catching WildHearts healthy eating chart.

The WeeWalk was a real community affair with students from St Andrews and St Brides high school helping to marshal the route and hand out the healthy snacks.  Active Schools co-ordinators, students from the University of the West of Scotland and volunteers from the Volunteer Centre South Lanarkshire all lent a hand too.

As well as having fun at the event, the St Leonard's pupils took the opportunity to raise funds for those less fortunate than themselves.  They worked hard to raise sponsorship for WildHearts' micro-finance projects in the developing world, helping to give people the chance to work their own way out of poverty with dignity.  By pushing themselves on behalf of others they have become true Global Citizens and have made a real difference in the world.

WeeWalks Press

Click on the links below to view some of the press the St Leonard's WeeWalk received:

East Kilbride News, 30th March 2011
East Kilbride Mail, 6th April 2011
Scottish Catholic Observer, 22nd April 2011