SCOTTISH charity, WildHearts, aims to help Edinburgh youngsters get fit and healthy this Spring by holding a sponsored walk event in the Royal Botanic Garden on Sunday, April 25th.
The WildHearts WeeWalk will see toddlers and primary aged children and families from across the city completing a one or three-mile route around the Garden, tackling a host of fun activities along the way.
The WildHearts’ WeeWalk in Aberdeen last year was a resounding success. Two hundred and fifty kids took part in the fun-filled sponsored walk event and raised £5,000 for the charity’s micro-finance projects in Ghana.
Says a spokesperson: “The £5,000 fund was enough to set up an entire Trust Group which provided initial loans and business training for 25-30 Ghanaians to start up their own businesses and work their way out of poverty.
“Each loan affects the lives of seven people initially, and the money is recycled three times every year. As a result of this process, the WeeWalk in Aberdeen last year has already made a dramatic difference to up to 630 people in Ghana, and will continue to do so for more and more people every year.”
Event organiser and WildHearts founder, Mick Jackson, is urging local people to register their children for what he says will be a fantastic, fun day out for all the family. He said:
“The WeeWalk is great a chance to get together and do something really different with your kids, grandchildren and even young nieces and nephews. It’s going to be a great day out for both children and grown ups! Of course the stars on the day will be the WeeWalkers. The event will provide children with an exciting, action packed day of fun and adventure, whilst giving us the chance to promote the importance of healthy, active lifestyles in a way they can relate to.”
The Royal Botanic Garden will be transformed into the World of WeeWalks, with participating children following a colourful map to discover special reward areas along the way.
At these pitstop points, they’ll meet exciting characters, such as Marco the Monkey, who will be on hand to dish out healthy treats themed around getting their Five-A-Day. As well as getting active with their friends and families at the event, ‘WeeWalkers’ will be encouraged to adopt healthier eating habits in the run up to the WeeWalk by following an eye catching WildHearts healthy eating chart.
WildHearts aims to show participating children how they can make a difference in the world by encouraging them to raise funds for micro-finance projects in the developing world.
WildHearts tackles global poverty by providing micro-loans and business training to the poor in countries such as Ghana, enabling them to work their way out of poverty.
At the WeeWalk, each participant will receive an info pack which will bring WildHearts’ work to life and explain how its efforts have helped other families and children.
All WeeWalkers who reach their sponsorship target will join the WildHearts WeeHeroes Club and receive a special certificate, stickers and a WeeHero badge.
Mick Jackson explains: “One of the things that parents and teachers have told us they particularly like about the idea is that the WeeWalk is designed to not only teach children about healthy lifestyles, but also about the importance of their role as ‘Global Citizens’.
“By raising money for WildHearts, children will be able to give a helping hand to some of the world’s poorest people and so learn that even at a young age they can make a real difference and help make the world a fairer place.”
WildHearts is rolling out similar events across Scotland – with WeeWalks in Glasgow and Aberdeen taking place in May – as part of its national strategy to encourage Scottish children to lead healthier, more active lifestyles while tackling global poverty. The events are particularly timely as the Scottish Government implements a range of schemes and initiatives to tackle childhood obesity and poor diet.
The WeeWalk is open to children aged 0 to 12.
Entry fees for the event are £10 per child which includes a healthy eating chart, exclusive cotton WeeWalks Healthy Goody Bag rucksack, souvenir medal and healthy snacks, with one accompanying adult going free.
To register for the event or for more information on the WeeWalk please visit www.WildDayOut.com or call 01667 458 849. For further information on the WildHearts charity please visit www.wildheartsinaction.org or find us on Facebook.
http://www.facebook.com/wildhearts#!/pages/WildHearts/176925616873?ref=ts
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