THREE primary school pupils have been rewarded for completing a challenge centred around active travel. 

St John Vianney Catholic Primary School and Longton Lane Primary School, both located on a key travel route running from Lea Green to Whiston Hospital, were invited by St Helens Borough Council to take part in an active travel initiative.

The initiative saw children and young people tasked with walking, cycling, or scootering to and from school to virtually reach the North Pole; approximately 2,533 miles away.   

In total, 63 pupils took part in the challenge with their parents and carers over a two-week period, resulting in more than 600 miles covered between the two schools.

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Year five St John Vianney pupil Kitty, and brother and sister, Joseph and Arwen from Longton Lane Primary School, recorded the most miles, 17.6 and 52 respectively as Joseph and Arwen walked 26 miles each.

The trio were later presented with micro scooters as a reward, donated by Merseyside-based Flinders Chase, which is working with the council on the active travel route to link Lea Green with Whiston Hospital.

The link route forms part of a number of schemes planned or underway in the borough to encourage residents to consider greener forms of transport to improve health and protect the environment. 

Councillor Andy Bowden, St Helens Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport, visited St John Vianney to present Kitty with her scooter.   

Councillor Bowden said: "Generally, children and young people don’t have that far to go to get to and from school, so encouraging active travel though initiatives like this is a great way to gain interest and change habits which in turn can reduce congestion and emissions around schools, while promoting a healthy and active lifestyle.    

"Congratulations to our winners Kitty, Joseph, and Arwen - they should be very proud of their achievements - and a big thank you to Flinders Chase for providing such fantastic prizes which are a great incentive for these youngsters to continue choosing active travel as a means of getting to school - in style as well."

To find out more on active travel proposals in St Helens Borough, visit http://www.sthelens.gov.uk/activetravel.