Children in Merseyside take on the Big Trike Ride for BBC Children in Need

MORE than 31,000 children at:- 350 Busy Bees Nurseries, including:- 10 in the Wirral, were challenged to the Big Trike Ride this week, an attempt to collectively trike, bike, or scoot 874 miles; the distance from Land's End to John O'Groats.

The UK's largest provider of early years childcare partnered with Team GB Olympian Sir Jason Kenny CBE to launch the nationwide fundraising initiative and raise vital funds for BBC Children in Need.

Jason Kenny, the most decorated GB Olympian of all time, has backed the initiative to inspire Busy Bees children and their parents to take part this month.

The fundraising challenge forms part of Busy Bees' new partnership with BBC Children in Need, which launched this year and aims to help every child across the UK thrive and be the best they can be.

For the 1st time, Busy Bees,' toddlers and preschoolers will tackle the trike challenge in support of Paddy McGuinness' Ultra Endurance Cycle Challenge, which will see him ride 300 miles across 3 nations on a classic Chopper bike.

Sir Jason Kenny said:- "It's an honour to kick-start this mass cycling event. Encouraging young children to get involved in physical activities is something I'm passionate about, and it's even better that it's supporting such a worthy cause. You never know, there could be a few future gold medallists amongst these toddlers!"

Chris McCandless, Busy Bees Europe CEO, commented:- "We're thrilled to join forces with Jason Kenny for such a meaningful charity and cause. We believe in providing every child with the best start in life, so a partnership with Children in Need makes perfect sense for us. Hopefully the money raised will help to improve opportunities and lay the foundations for future success for other young people. We chose to take on this physical challenge to raise much-needed funds while encouraging children across our centres to get active, which plays an important part of their development and wellbeing. Having so many children and colleagues in our centres in [Region] come together to support Children in Need is truly inspiring, and we're immensely proud of them. We look forward to a successful Big Trike Ride and to seeing the positive impact it will have."

Claire Hoyle, Director of Income, Marketing and Communications at BBC Children in Need, added:- "The Big Trike Ride is a fantastic way to engage children in fundraising while having fun and staying active. We are so grateful to the Busy Bees team and their ongoing commitment to raise funds to make life lighter for children and young people across the UK when they need it most. We look forward to seeing the incredible efforts of the children and their families attempting to cover the distance from Land's End to John O'Groats."

BBC Children in Need funding brings the right people and places into children's lives when they need help or support. Across the UK, children are facing greater challenges than ever, with mental health conditions such as:- anxiety and depression rising, and high levels of poverty leading to inequality and lack of opportunity.

Money raised during the 2024 appeal will help BBC Children in Need to continue working in communities across the 4 nations, funding people in:- family centres, community spaces, youth clubs and refuges; homeless shelters, Hospices and helplines.

To support the children taking part in the Busy Bees Big Trike Ride, visit:- JustGiving.Com.

For more information about BBC Children in Need, visit:- BBC.Co.UK.

UKHSA North West issues health advice following the ˝ Term break

AS children across the country return to their classrooms after the ˝ Term break, UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) North West is reminding parents of the simple steps they can take to reduce the spread of stomach bugs and winter illnesses to ensure they stay healthy this term and keep strong this winter.

We are now beginning to see cases of flu and norovirus increasing as we head into the winter months, with norovirus activity in the past 2 weeks more than double the 5-season average for the same 2-week period and flu steadily increasing over the past few weeks.

Dr Merav Kliner, Regional Deputy Director of UKHSA NW, said:- "As children return to School after the ˝ Term holidays, it's important that they get off to the best start possible ahead of winter. Staying healthy and taking simple steps to reduce the spread of illness will ensure children and their families experience less disruption at this important time of year. Each winter, we see an increase in acute respiratory and gastrointestinal illnesses, however, it only takes simple steps to reduce the spread of most of these infections. By following advice on good hygiene habits, knowing when to keep your child off School and taking up the opportunity to get vaccinated, parents are protecting their children and the wider School community."

• Teaching good hygiene habits... Parents are urged to encourage good hygiene habits in their families, such as:- handwashing and using a tissue to catch coughs and sneezes. Regularly washing your hands with soap and warm water for 20 seconds or using hand sanitiser when convenient, is 1 of the most effective ways to stop the spread of germs.
   

• Knowing when to keep your child at home and when to send them to School... Children are encouraged to stay in School or Nursery with symptoms such as:- a runny nose, sore throat or slight cough (if otherwise well and do not have a high temperature), but should stay home if they're displaying symptoms such as:- having a fever (they should stay home until the fever has passed and they are well enough to attend) or diarrhoea and vomiting (children should stay home for at least 48 hours after these symptoms clear up).
   

• Stopping the spread of stomach bugs... Stomach bugs spread easily in Schools and Nurseries. If you or your child have diarrhoea and vomiting, washing your hands with soap and warm water and using bleach-based products to clean surfaces will help stop infections from spreading. Don't prepare food for others if you have such symptoms or for 48 hours after symptoms stop. If you are unwell, you should also avoid visiting people in Hospitals and care homes to avoid passing on the infection to those more vulnerable. All children must be given the opportunity to start the year in good health, which is why it's important not to return to School, Nursery or work until 48 hours after symptoms have stopped.
   

• Getting vaccinated... Infections such as:- flu, which see a seasonal increase in winter, are easily protected against with vaccination. All Primary School-age children, those aged 2 years (who have turned two-years-old before September 1, 2024) and all 3 year olds (and secondary School children from Year 7 to Year 11) are eligible for the flu vaccine, which beyond protecting the children themselves and the School community, will also protect elderly relatives. It's also important to ensure your children are up to date with their routine vaccinations, which protect against diseases such as:- measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria and polio. UKHSA is continuing to see cases of measles, which is easily prevented with vaccination. If parents are unsure of their child's vaccination status, they can check their child's red book or contact their local GP.