The Annandale and Eskdale Active School and Community Sport team for Dumfries and Galloway Council were at Elmvale Primary School on Friday to unveil twelve new balance bikes that have been funded by Loreburn Housing Association Limited.
With an increasing national drive for more opportunities for children under 5 years of age to be more regularly active, the balance bikes were purchased with the aim of delivering weekly sessions for children both in community and nursery settings that are based around fun and enjoyment, movement and participation and a focus on encouraging a healthy lifestyle.
Research shows an active child is more likely to become an active adult and to get children involved with sport and physical activity at a young age allows them to become equipped with the physical ability and confidence to keep active throughout their lifetime. Children enjoying sporting experiences at a young age can also help them to develop lasting high self-esteem as well as creating a positive attitude to physical activity and health. Studies have also shown that children who have a positive experience with activity before the age of five stay active and is the key to starting children on the sporting pathway and getting them active for life.
Andy Todman, Care and Repair Manager for Loreburn Housing Association who provided £555.74 towards purchasing the new equipment was on hand with Chair of Annandale and Eskdale Area Committee, Councillor Ronnie Ogilvie to reveal the twelve new balance bikes, helmets and traffic accessories.
Andy said of the new initiative ““Loreburn is delighted to be involved in this innovative community initiative which will create health and wellbeing outcomes for the children in a fun way, contributing to the great communities we operate in.”
Councillor Ogilvie added “we are very grateful to Loreburn Housing Association who offered to support this very worthwhile initiative. Cycling has seen a massive growth nationally and locally in recent years due to British success in major sporting events. It is encouraging to see children of a very young age introduced to cycling and supported to be physically active that will hopefully stay with them throughout their lifetime.”
Photograph attached – Sandra Proudfoot, Active School and Community Sport Officer with Elmvale pupils and Andy Todman, Care and Repair Manager for Loreburn Housing Association
