Did pupils walk their way to world record?
HUNDREDS of schoolchildren across Peterborough used a different form of school bus on Wednesday – a walking bus – in a bid to get into the Guinness Book of World Records.
HUNDREDS of schoolchildren across Peterborough used a different form of school bus on Wednesday – a walking bus – in a bid to get into the Guinness Book of World Records.The primary school youngsters joined more than 100,000 fellow pupils across the country in the co-ordinated record attempt.
Road safety charity Brake organised the event, which was aimed at creating a world record for the most amount of children simultaneously walking to school in walking buses – a safe, fun and healthy way to walk to school with an adult "driver" at the front and "conductor" at the rear.
The current record stands at 57,476, but early estimates suggest that yesterday's attempt has been successful, with in the region of 140,000 pupils taking part in the walk.
However, the event, which takes place annually, was not only about having their name in the Guinness Book of Records, but also about raising awareness of road safety.
Among those taking part were the 82 pupils at Murrow Primary School, in Murrow, near Wisbech, who saw the event as a way for them to get across their own road safety message.
Site manager at the school and organiser Mark Clarke said: "We did this last year, and we feel that the speed limits outside our school are too high anyway, so that's why we took part.
"It went absolutely brilliantly, and there were a lot of parents out there watching, who had lots of banners. I looked back and could see the line of pupils and they looked really good, I was very impressed."
Southfield Junior School and Infant School also took part in the event outside its premises in Whittlesey Road, Stanground, Peterborough, with more than 300 pupils walking in unison with their teachers.
Headteacher Laura Martin said: "It went really well, and we had a lovely time in the morning. It was important because we've been doing a lot of work on health, wellbeing and walking around the streets safely, so we hope these skills will make them able to deal with things."
Brake general manager Sarah Fatica said the important message of the day was for motorists to stop and think about their speeds when driving near schools.
"We are feeling quietly confident that the record has been smashed. Most of the schools across the country had to brave the weather, but they still did it.
"We couldn't do this without the schools taking part, so we are grateful for their support. It will take a few months to officially announce a world record as we need it verified," she added.
Useful link:
Guinness Book of World Records.
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Thursday 29 July 2010
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