Change4Life summer campaign launched at Lincolnshire School Games

The Really Big Summer Adventure will inspire children and families to keep active and eat healthily over the summer holidays with lots of tools, advice, hints and
tips. Children in the target age group will receive a summer adventure map with daily activity stickers for an action-packed summer holiday.

For parents, a £50 voucher book will give money off a wide range of healthier food, drink and activities. Throughout the summer, the Change4Life Web and Facebook sites will provide ideas for keeping the kids active, as well as fun competitions and healthy offers. Mr Lansley was joined at the launch event in Grantham by former triple jump Olympic Champion Jonathan Edwards CBE, who helped unveil the campaign along with local children from Isaac Newton Primary School.

Andrew Lansley said:
"It's important we support and encourage children, from a very young age, to experience for themselves the fun and benefits of playing games and being active.
Our new Change4Life summer campaign will help children to get into the habit of being active as part of their daily activities and hopefully inspire them to take
part in the School Games."

The Health Secretary also highlighted the investment the Department of Health has made to encourage the least active children and young people and those most at risk
of being overweight and obese to get involved in sport in schools. This includes:

• £6.4 million to secure the future of the Change4Life Sports Clubs in secondaryschools until March 2013;
• extending the innovative Sports Clubs programme into primary schools;
• Sports Clubs include two Paralympic sports to encourage disabled children and young people to get involved; and
• £14 million to support all schools to take part in the School Games project.

Andrew Lansley continued:
"Projects like the Lincolnshire School Games show just what can be done through our schools to get children and young people taking part in sports and being more
active.  Being active is vital to good health. Competitive school sport can also offer a wide range of other benefits like better self esteem, confidence and social skills. That is why we're making up to £20 million available to support schools to help the least active children and young people most at risk of becoming overweight or obese to experience sports."

Schools across England have been closely involved in developing and delivering the Really Big Summer Adventure campaign. Resource packs developed with teachers have been sent to all schools to engage children in the campaign before the holidays start. Many schools are already involved with Change4Life and the packs will give teachers the additional support to incorporate Change4Life into lessons if they wish. The adventure maps are also being distributed through schools. The campaign is being supported by The Mirror, and ASDA and other Change4Life partners are providing offers on healthier foods, drinks and exercise related products and activities.

A new Change4Life TV advert will also debut this week, on 15 July, to boost the campaign and inspire families to take part by having their own really big summer adventure.

The announcement follows new UK-wide physical activity guidelines launched this week that set out levels of activities that everyone should aim to achieve. For 5 to 18
year olds moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity for at least 60 minutes and up to several hours every day is recommended. for more information on the guidelines click here

For more information click here