12th December 2023
With a big Santa “Ho Ho Goo” an amazing 525 settings took part in The Daily Mile™ Santa Run on Friday 1st December, across Northern Ireland. The event was organised by The Daily Mile Network Northern Ireland to encourage children and all people to participate in The Daily Mile™. The day aimed to raise awareness of the positive impact being active can have on children’s mental health and wellbeing.
The Daily Mile™ initiative encourages children to walk, jog or run a mile per day. Research highlights the significant benefits of The Daily Mile™ on children’s health & wellbeing.
In the Southern Trust, we had 108 settings take part from nurseries to primary schools. We loved all the videos and photos of the children that were shared enjoying their Santa run. We look forward to The Daily Mile™ expanding across our Trust area.
Dr Brenda Mc Kay- Redmond Co-Chair of The Daily Mile Network NI and Stranmillis University College Lecturer would like to thank all the children, staff, school and early years’ settings that took part and succeeded in making this an overwhelming success. This has been phenomenal! Witnessing children in their Christmas attire carrying out fifteen minutes of exercise, jogging or walking, outside safely can contribute to them becoming happier, fitter and stronger. Self-esteem, wellbeing and satisfaction can also improve mental health, so let’s keep our hearts and minds healthy by having fun, friendships, fitness and freedom in the fresh air”.
Colette Brolly, the Public Health Agency’s lead on Physical Activity said: “It’s been great to see so many schools get involved in The Daily Mile Santa Run this year! The Daily Mile challenge offers a fun and interactive way for children to get moving more and incorporate physical activity into their daily routine. Being physically active helps to build strong bones, muscles and a healthy heart, supports the development of social skills, and encourages a sense of wellbeing. We would encourage as many families and schools as possible across Northern Ireland to get involved in the Daily Mile programme. It’s important that children are introduced to a culture of being active from an early age as it is something that will stay with them and benefit them throughout
Clare Drummy, Physical Activity Lead in Southern Trust highlighted how settings across the trust had really embraced the Santa run and could see the huge benefits The Daily Mile brings to children and young people. It’s great to see Southern Trust schools on top of the leader board for registrations in Northern Ireland. Thanks so much to all the amazing settings who took part. We encourage you to keep The Daily Mile going and link in with us for resources. We would love to support you!
Remember Santa says Ho Ho Gooooo do your daily miles!
Wishing all a Happy, healthy and active Christmas.
We would like to encourage all schools and early years settings in Northern Ireland to sign up to The Daily Mile™.
To register for The Daily Mile™ please visit: Join The Movement | The Daily Mile UK
