MEDALS have been awarded to almost 9,000 North-East schoolchildren who have discovered the wonders of the great outdoors thanks to a pioneering charity project.
A total of 103 primary schools signed up to The Home Walk Project, run by the Walk and Talk Trust, to encourage Year 3 to 6 students to explore the outdoors and chart their progress to earn a medal.
The project was funded by Durham County Council’s Area Action Partnerships, the National Lottery Fund, local businesses, and trust funds. Each pupil part taking received a sticker book, stickers and a guidebook, whcih included the Countryside Code, the health benefits of walking, and interesting locations to explore.
Nicola Oxnard, Special Educational Needs Coordinator for Neville’s Cross Primary School, in Durham, said: “We jumped at the chance to be part of the Home Walk Project. The children were so enthusiastic following the launch assembly, and many used their playtimes to walk and run around our Daily Mile track to help achieve their target. Our staff loved hearing the children talk about and share their favourite walks with each other.”
Pupils had to track their progress and record their walks in a logbook to demonstrate they had earned their medals, which were awarded during special school assemblies.
Geoff Simpson, chief executive of the Walk and Talk Trust, said: “We’re overjoyed that schools, pupils, and families throughout our region have responded so strongly to the Home Walk Project. In total, 8,836 children took part and, on average, each child completed 32 walks, totalling 88 miles. This is a fantastic result, and the feedback we’re getting from schools and families has really made me smile.
“I want to say a massive thank you to all the schools that took part, and to our incredible sponsors, particularly Durham County Council’s 14 Area Action Partnerships, Darlington Building Society, EMG Solicitors, and North Group marine insurers.”
Extra prizes were awarded to randomly selected pupils who answered quiz questions in the guidebook correctly. The five lucky winners were Emma Taylor, John Garside, Hayden Underwood, Seth Ibinson, and Lydia Stevenson, who each received a £100 Decathlon voucher, family day passes to Raby Castle and Beamish Museum, and £25 to open a Young Savers Account with Darlington Building Society.
Together, the winners completed 209 walks totalling 536 miles with their friends and families.
Emma, who completed 41 different walks throughout the project, said: “My favourite walk was at Hamsterley Forest with my dog, Poppy, because we like exploring new places.
“I was really excited to get my medal – I couldn’t sleep the night before. I’m going to spend my voucher on a new gymnastics leotard and a pair of new swimming goggles.”
Lydia said: "My favourite place to go for a walk in is Hardwick Park, because I can take my dog and I love all the different trails and paths." Seth added: “I liked looking for jellyfish and collecting stones at Roker Beach with my Nannie.”
John’s favourite walk was from the River Browney at Sunderland Bridge to the garden centre at Shincliffe. “It felt like I was walking through a forest,” he said. “We took a flask of tea with us, and it was nice and relaxing to stop and have a break.”
True to the spirit of the Walk and Talk Trust, Hayden summed up the project, saying: “My favourite part was talking with my friends as we walked the Cleveland Way railway line in Tees Valley. It’s 11 miles long – that meant lots of talking!”
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