Transport Minister Danny Kennedy joined school children Rachel Lewis, Corey Otter, Etta Choi and Madison Doyle at Abbott’s Cross Primary School in Newtownabbey as they put their best feet forward for Walk to School Week 2014, which is taking place this week (May 19-23).

TRANSPORT Minister Danny Kennedy joined schoolchildren as they put their best feet forward for Walk to School Week 2014 which is taking place this week (May 19 – 23).

The Minister spoke to children at Abbots Cross Primary School in Newtownabbey about the health and environmental benefits of walking to and from school, as 140 schools across Northern Ireland take part in Walk to School Week 2014 events.

Danny Kennedy said: “Walk to School Week gives the younger generation the opportunity and encouragement to incorporate walking into their daily routine.

“It is vital that children learn about the health, social and environmental advantages of walking from a young age so they can develop positive attitudes towards their travel habits.

“Being active helps build a foundation for better health, which is just one of the many good reasons why Walk to School Week is such an important initiative.”

As part of Walk to School Week, the Department of Regional Development’s Travelwise NI initiative is running a photography competition and is inviting all primary schools in Northern Ireland to take part.

The competition is free to enter and primary school pupils, their parents and their school teachers, are being encouraged to enter photographs, promoting walking to school to be in with a chance to win a photography master class for up to 60 pupils.

Five runner-up prizes, one from each Education and Library Board, will win an online photography workshop or the chance to have professional photograph taken of each class.

Post primary school pupils are also being asked to complete an online survey of their methods of travelling to and from school using the following link https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/WalktoSchoolWeek2014.

All post primary school pupils that complete the survey by May 30 will be entered into a draw to win a Kindle Fire or cinema tickets.

For more information Travelwise NI on 028 9054 0096, visit https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/travelwiseni or email Travelwiseni@drdni.gov.uk