Kids’ hard work to be praised at Safe Kids Campaign launch

5 October 2005

A challenge accepted by kids in 15 Christchurch schools to walk to school safely every Wednesday will be celebrated at 10am, 14 October, when Christchurch Mayor Garry Moore presents such schools with certificates on behalf of the city at the Civic Offices.

The presentation is part of the 2005/2006 Safe Kids Campaign launch which aims to promote two themes of preventing child pedestrian injuries, and preventing child fall injuries during the year through various events.

Fifteen schools have registered for the Council’s Walking Wednesdays Class Challenge, which begins on Wednesday 12 October and aims to proactively promote safe walking to school to:

• reduce chaos at school gates by parents who usually drive their children to and from school,
• increase daily exercise for children, and
• increase public awareness of child pedestrians, particularly near schools.

On October 14, up to three schools are also taking part in a “We’re Walking Here” demonstration, highlighting to drivers some of Christchurch’s busiest intersections near schools where children have either died or had near misses with traffic, as pedestrians.

Children will carry large “We’re Walking Here” signs, flags, and wear “I'm Walking Here” t-shirts while crossing on every signal – working their way around the intersection - to draw drivers’ attention to their numbers and use of the intersection to get to and from school.

Spreydon School will do this at the Hoon Hay-Curletts-Lincoln-Halswell roads intersection and Christchurch East School at the Gloucester Street-Fitzgerald Avenue intersection.

As part of the Safe Kids Campaign City Care has also made available a playground equipment auditor to schools and preschools to audit and advise them regarding their play areas.

Top of Page ~ Media Release index