Parents and readers online have voiced their support for the Ipswich Star’s campaign to get every primary school pupil in the town walking or running a mile a day.

Ipswich Star: Pupils at The Willows Primary School in Ipswich have been getting active by walking or running one mile a day. This has been helping with not only their fitness, but also concentration levels and general well-being. L-R,Nomsa Sibanda and Alexis Chapelfield.Pupils at The Willows Primary School in Ipswich have been getting active by walking or running one mile a day. This has been helping with not only their fitness, but also concentration levels and general well-being. L-R,Nomsa Sibanda and Alexis Chapelfield. (Image: Archant)

We’re calling for each school to sign up to the Daily Mile initiative to improve the health and fitness of youngsters.

Originally started at a school in Scotland, it involves pupils at primary schools walking, jogging or running a mile every day, which will improve pupils’ fitness and wellbeing, as well as provide added benefits in concentration and focus in the classroom.

And already feedback online has been positive.

Laura Holland, commenting on Facebook, said: “In some schools they are told a daily task to think about whilst they’re outside exercising. It improves concentration once they’re back in class. Fantastic idea.”

Ipswich Star: Pupils at The Willows Primary School in Ipswich have been getting active by walking or running one mile a day. This has been helping with not only their fitness, but also concentration levels and general well-being. L-R Alexis Chapfield, Hollie Phillips, Scarlett Robinson.Pupils at The Willows Primary School in Ipswich have been getting active by walking or running one mile a day. This has been helping with not only their fitness, but also concentration levels and general well-being. L-R Alexis Chapfield, Hollie Phillips, Scarlett Robinson. (Image: Archant)

Christopher Jacobs, also via Facebook, added: “Yes! I used to run a joyful mile to school every day from the age of five.”

Other readers added that they hoped the campaign would encourage children, where possible, to walk to school with their parents and urged schools to make sure they continue to implement it.

Some schools in Ipswich already take part in the mile, but after figures revealed that almost one in three Year 6 pupils are obese or overweight, we’re calling on every Ipswich primary school to sign up.

The Daily Mile must be outdoors, but not on muddy fields, and performed at least three times a week. For more details and resources for headteachers, visit http://thedailymile.co.uk

Is your school doing the Daily Mile? Or are you planning to sign up to it? Let the Ipswich Star know so we can give you some coverage. Contact us via email or call Matt on 01473 324730.