Local school pupils joined thousands of others across the UK to walk, cycle or scoot to school in a competition to promote active journeys. The event, Sustrans Big Walk and Wheel, is the UK’s largest walking, wheeling, cycling and scooting to school challenge, with more than 2.2 million active journeys and physical activities completed between Monday 21 March and Friday 1 April 2022.

More than 7,700 school children from 15 schools in Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole took part, undertaking over 35,000 journeys and physical activities.

Had those journeys been made by car, this could have created 24 tonnes of CO2. That’s enough to fill 900,000 party balloons with harmful CO2 emissions.

Sarah Leeming, interim director for south of England at Sustrans, said: “It’s brilliant to see everyone working together to walk, wheel, scoot and cycle so far during this year’s Big Walk and Wheel.

“Travelling sustainably for the equivalent of so many trips around the world and doing our bit to stop vast amounts of harmful emissions being released, goes to show the positive impact we can have together by swapping to active travel for everyday journeys like the school run.

“Congratulations to everyone that took part in this year’s event.”

Top of the leader board for the area for the large primary school category was Christchurch Juniors. The school finished 104th nationally, with a daily average of 79 per cent of pupils logging active travel journeys and physical activity.

In the secondary school category, Avonbourne Academy secured 13th place nationally with an average daily score of 69 percent.

BCP Council’s portfolio holder for Transport and Sustainability, Cllr Mike Greene, said: “Well done to the fifteen BCP schools and thousands of school children who made over 35,000 active journeys during the Big Walk and Wheel campaign. It’s great to see such positive involvement from our local school community.

“We’re proud to partner with Sustrans – as a council we’re committed to supporting and promoting the benefits of an active school run. It’s important for children and young people’s physical and mental health, as well as reducing traffic, improving air quality and saving fuel costs for parents.”