Ben Everitt, the MP for Milton Keynes North, is backing a campaign by the Youth Sport Trust, schools, teachers, and parents across the UK to encourage children and young people to get active.
National School Sports Week aims to address the fact that less than half of all young people in the UK (47%) are active for at least 60 minutes of moderate or vigorous activity each day, as recommended by the Chief Medical Officers’.
The campaign, which will see activities taking place across the United Kingdom from 19-25 June, is asking people to ‘play for fun, play for 60,’ to raise awareness of the recommendation that children and young people should be active for at least an hour each day.
Ben Everitt MP is supporting the campaign, led by the Youth Sport Trust, which comes at a time when children’s wellbeing is in decline, obesity levels are soaring, and with increasing cases of childhood type 2 diabetes.
Ben and the charity are asking people across Milton Keynes to Pledge to Play, committing to providing support and opportunities for children and young people so that they can be active for 60 minutes a day.
The Webber Independent School, Slated Row School and North Crawley CofE School in his Milton Keynes North constituency are already involved, but Ben is hoping even more schools will sign up and take part.
The campaign comes after research carried out by the charity found that almost half of all parents (48%) believe children aged 5-18 should only be active for 30 minutes or less every day. Worryingly, only 43% of parents know that children and young people should be active for at least 60 minutes a day.
Ben Everitt MP said: “It’s incredibly important that we encourage children and young people to get active. Taking part in physical activity helps with physical and mental health, and can be a great way to make friends and develop new skills.
“I’m proud to support National School Sports Week. It’s a fantastic campaign that helps young people experience the benefits of PE, sport and play. I’m looking forward to working with schools and parents in Milton Keynes to empower young people to take part in physical activity and achieve their full potential.”