Daily Mile Network NI ho-ho-hosts 3rd Annual Santa Run event

The Daily Mile Network in Northern Ireland hosted their third annual Santa Run on Friday 1 December.

Over 320 schools across NI joined the fun, with staff and children putting on their Christmas jumpers and Santa hats and taking part. Dr Barbara McConnell and Dr Brenda McKay-Redmond from the Early Childhood Studies Department at Stranmillis University College joined other members of The Daily Mile Network at Rosetta Primary School.

Dr McConnell said: “It was lovely joining the Nursery and P1 children of Rosetta Primary to complete their Daily Mile Santa Run. What better way to get into the Christmas spirit!”

“The Daily Mile challenge offers a fun and interactive way for children to get moving more and incorporate physical activity into their daily routine. Being physically active helps to build strong bones, muscles and a healthy heart, supports the development of social skills, and encourages a sense of wellbeing. It also benefits children’s mental health, so it really does have a wide range of benefits.”

Simon Melville, Teacher at Rosetta Primary School, said: “We love taking part in the Daily Mile challenge every year and the Santa Run is a great way for us to kick off the countdown to Christmas – our pupils loved it! Doing challenges like this is good for our children to get outside and reap the many benefits of physical activity. We always notice they come back to class reenergised and ready to learn. We would highly recommend the Daily Mile challenge to other schools!”

Speaking about the Daily Mile, Dr. Brenda McKay-Redmond, Co-Chair of The Daily Mile Network, said:

“The ethos of The Daily Mile is for physical activity to be social, non-competitive and fun. It encourages children to be aware of their health and aims for inclusiveness for every child, regardless of age or ability. Increasing physical activity levels for all children in Northern Ireland is critical and The Daily Mile is committed to supporting the implementation of The Daily Mile across the country and creating an evidence base that is relative to Northern Ireland.”

Dr McCourt, Physical Activity Co–ordinator of the PHA and member of the Daily Mile Network said: “The PHA would encourage as many families and schools as possible across Northern Ireland to get involved in the Daily Mile programme this year. It’s important that children are introduced to a culture of being active from an early age as it is something that will stay with them and benefit them throughout their lives.”

To find out more about The Daily Mile, visit www.thedailymile.co.uk.

Pictured (L-R) Ben Hanvey, Physical Activity Lead at Belfast Health and Social Care Trust, Iain Sneddon, Active School Travel Officer at Sustrans, Beth Harding, Active School Travel Manager at Sustrans, Dr Barbara McConnell, Co-Chair of The Daily Mile Network, Dr Hannah McCourt, Senior Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement Officer at Public Health Agency, Dr Medbh Hillyard, Post Doctoral Research Fellow, Ulster University, Brenda McKay-Redmond, Co-Chair of The Daily Mile Network and pupils at Rosetta Primary School.