Daily Mile all set to get Primary School pupils moving in 2019

SPORT England announced they have committed ₤1.5 million of National Lottery funding to support The Daily Mile™, the ground breaking fitness initiative that aims to get children fit for life. MSP, who are the strategic organisation dedicated to unlocking the power of sport and physical activity across the whole of the Liverpool City Region are delighted to be able to confirm that they have been awarded ₤100k from that national pot to help primary School pupils across Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St. Helens and Wirral benefit from the scheme.

A dedicated Daily Mile Co-ordinator, Trish Conning, was appointed to MSP's team at the beginning of December 2018, in anticipation of the formal announcement. She's already hit the ground running, getting out and about ahead of the Christmas break to meet with School Head Teachers and PE leads.

Speaking about her new role, MSP's Daily Mile Co-ordinator, Trish said:- "We know from the Active Lives Children and Young People Survey, that was undertaken in December 2018, found out 57% of Primary pupils in the Liverpool City Region are doing less than the Chief Medical Officer's recommendation of 60 minutes of physical activity a day. The Daily Mile is a fantastic, simple way to boost the amount of activity children are getting within their School day. So, I'm incredibly excited to by the opportunity to help Schools get the initiative off the ground, plus help support them as they continue to make it a regular feature of School life."

Calum Donnelly, MSP's Strategic Lead for Children and Young People added:- "MSP are delighted to be able to support Schools to get officially signed up to The Daily Mile. It's a super simple, but effective concept that takes 15 minutes, from desk to desk. Children head outside to jog or run around the School grounds every day, rain or shine, at whatever pace suits each child best. It gets children active with their friends and teachers and refreshed for further learning. Any School can implement it completely free of charge and without the need for staff training. Its impact can be transformational; improving not only the children's fitness, but also their attainment, mood, behaviour and mental wellbeing. Our Daily Mile Co-ordinator, Trish, will be in touch with Schools in the new year and we'd encourage every Primary School, within the Liverpool City Region to get on board with this fantastic scheme."

For further information please visit:- MerseysideSport.Com.

LJLA expects busy Christmas and New Year 'getaway' once again

LIVERPOOL John Lennon Airport (LJLA) is gearing up once again for the traditional Christmas and New Year 'getaway,' with over 140,000 passengers expected to pass through the Airport over the festive and New Year holiday period. Passenger numbers have been on the increase throughout 2018 and the Airport expects to see the 5 millionth passenger this year pass through its door at some point during the festive season as annual passenger numbers are set to reach their highest in 7 years. The Airport is expecting over 4,000 more travellers to pass through the Airport over the Christmas and New Year period; a 3% increase compared to 2017, with this Friday expected to be the one of busiest days with around 15,000 passengers departing and arriving at LJLA.

As Schools finish for Christmas, families from across the Region are expected to head off on flights over the holiday period with passengers travelling to a mix of destinations in search of some much needed Winter sun, to go skiing, visit relatives, or looking for Christmas and New Year festivities across a range of European cities.

The Airport will once have again been helping passengers get into the festive mood, with a Christmas DJ, face painters and even Father Christmas finding time during his busy schedule to meet with passengers young and old.

As usual, popular flights for passengers over the coming days are expected to be Winter ski destinations such as Geneva and Tenerife for some warmer Winter weather, whilst closer to home flights between Liverpool and Dublin, Belfast and the Isle of Man will be amongst the busiest with passengers travelling to be with friends and families.

LJLA Management are once again keen to remind all passengers to allow plenty of time to pass through the Airport during this busy period and that restrictions on liquids carried in hand luggage are still in place. Passengers are also reminded to think carefully about what items they are intending to pack in hand luggage, before they set off for the Airport; especially those who are travelling with presents for friends and relatives.

To avoid disappointment at the security search point and to help keep security queues to a minimum, passengers are being asked to travel with their presents unwrapped if they are to be carried in hand luggage.

Robin Tudor, Head of PR for LJLA commented:- "The Christmas and New Year period is one of our busiest times of the year and we expect this year to be one of the busiest for some time, as thousands of passengers from across the region take advantage of the convenience of flying via Liverpool, without any of the hassle. We pride ourselves for being faster, easier and friendlier and would like to remind all passengers to allow plenty of time, come prepared and think carefully about what you are carrying in your hand luggage."