As part of the month, children across the UK will be saying goodbye to the school run and striding out for Walk to School Week (16 – 20 May).

Over the past two decades, the number of children walking to school has dramatically dropped from 62% to 50%.  42% of children are driven to school in cars, despite the fact that the majority of primary school children live within a 20 minute walk of their school.

There are many good reasons for children to walk to school.  Parents often underestimate the amount of physical activity their children require on a daily basis, as well as overestimate the amount of exercise they get during structured school PE lessons. With a quarter of secondary children now classed as obese, the dangers of inactivity are clear. By encouraging children to be active in their daily life from an early age, parents can ensure that their children get the amount of exercise needed to stay fit and healthy.

Increasing their physical activity is not the only benefit children derive from walking to school. By learning about road safety and their local area from an early age, children learn vital skills that will keep them safe later in life. Children who walk to school have been reported to be more alert and ready to start the day’s work when they arrive.  And in these tough economic times, walking to school is the cheap alternative to the school run, which can cost families over £400 a year in fuel.

National charity Living Streets, who work to create safe, attractive and enjoyable streets, help over 2 million children walk to school every year thanks to their highly successful Walk to School campaign. This May, as part of National Walking Month, they encourage children, parents and teachers to leave their cars in the driveway and make the journey to school on foot.

Schools and parents can get involved and find lots of helpful resources for getting their children to walk, including highly collectable badges and rewards stickers, at www.walktoschool.org.uk

Tony Armstrong, Chief Executive of Living Streets said:

“Walking to school is a brilliant way to get some physical activity and some fresh air into your day.  When children are bundled from front door to car door, they miss out on the opportunity to socialise with friends, get to know their community, and burn off some energy before getting their heads down in the books.

“If we are to avoid the Government’s prediction of a quarter of our children being obese by 2050, we need to start making changes to our lifestyle now.  We would love everyone who normally drives the school run to use this month as an excuse to try walking.  We think you’ll be amazed at how enjoyable a regular walk can be; a chance to spend real quality time together, and reap health rewards for all the family.”