Around a million children and families nationwide will be swapping the school run for a school walk during Living Streets' International Walk to School Month, either by leaving the car at home or parking further away from the school and walking the rest of the way.
Experts recommend that children are physically active for at least 60 minutes a day to stay fit and maintain a healthy weight - and walking to school is an easy way to achieve some of these active minutes.
Children who travel actively to school will arrive feeling refreshed and ready to learn, and evidence suggests they will do better in class and be happier, healthier and more independent as a result.
Councillor Lynne Moran, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, said: "A generation ago more than two thirds of children walked to school, but now it's dropped to half.
"There are so many benefits from choosing to walk to school rather than driving, from improving the health and wellbeing of children and their parents to helping to reduce congestion and pollution, and so I would encourage all our schools to take part in this very important campaign."
Councillor Hazel Malcolm, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, added: "We have a well documented problem with high levels of obesity among both adults and children and young people in Wolverhampton, and incorporating even a short, brisk walk into people's daily routines can bring about fantastic mental and physical health benefits."
International Walk to School Month is organised by the walking charity Living Streets, which is currently working with a number of Wolverhampton schools to encourage more people to walk to school.
Julia Crear, Regional Director at Living Streets, said: "Our Walk to School campaign aims to inspire children who can, to walk to school and to improve our streets for those who do want to walk local, everyday journeys.
"A nation where walking is the natural choice will be a cleaner, safer and healthier place for everyone and so we commend anyone joining in and walking to school this October."
To find out more about International Walk to School Month, please visit Type=links;Linkid=10445;Title=Walk to School;Target=_blank;.
Schools in Wolverhampton which would like to work with Living Streets to promote walking to their pupils and families are invited to email tom.richards@livingstreets.org.uk.
- released: Tuesday 25 September, 2018