Ayr Advertiser | News | We want to be world record breakers

Sunday, 7th September, 2008

Published: Wednesday, 18th June, 2008 14:00

We want to be world record breakers

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PUPILS from Troon Primary took part in an attempt to get into the Guinness Book of Records last week.

The girls and boys from primary four, five and six took part in the biggest walking bus in Britain on Wednesday which was also created in a bid to break the world record.

Led by the school’s junior road safety officers, they walked for 500 metres around the school grounds in the event organised by the road safety charity Brake.

The school’s Catherine Dickie said: “The day went well and all the details have been passed on to the charity and we hope to hear soon if the record has been broken.”

Hundreds of schools all over the country were taking part and they all set off at the same time, 10am, with all money raised going to help reduce the number of children dying or being injured on the roads.

Brake use the cash to develop services for bereaved families, such as a helpline, support literature, and care service visiting families in their homes.Troon’s ‘bus’ passengers got going at the appointed time and kept at a steady pace as they snaked round the playground in pairs with everyone taking part getting a special badge and certificate at the end of the ‘road’.

Last week’s event was organised in safe surroundings but staff at the school also used the event to teach youngsters about road safety.

Last year saw more than 80,000 taking part around the UK, but this year the target was a massive 200,000 which would also smash the world walking bus record to pieces. Seven children are killed or seriously injured while walking or cycling in the UK every day, causing heartbreak and misery to families, schools and communities.

Most children hurt on foot or bike on weekdays are on the journey to or from school, although almost half of primary pupils are driven to school, mostly short distances. Declining numbers of children walking or cycling means more obesity and increased danger for those who do walk or cycle and the Walking Bus day was organised as a result.

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