Dr Hilary Sings the Benefits of a New Health Campaign
News Release
9th December 2013
Children at a school in Nottinghamshire were singing and dancing with TV Health Editor Dr Hilary Jones to celebrate the launch of a national health initiative to encourage more children to drink milk.
At the heart of the campaign, being run by leading school milk supplier Cool Milk in partnership with the Children’s Food Trust (CFT), is an educational and interactive DVD which schools can show during a main assembly or in the classroom.
The DVD, which is about the adventures of Milkman and His Kid who use their superhero powers to help rescue a cow in trouble, is aimed at giving pupils at Key Stage 1 a greater understanding of where milk comes from and why it’s good for us in a fun and interesting way.
“I’ve teamed up with Cool Milk to promote drinking milk at school as it really sets them up, not just for the day but for life,” explained Dr Hilary. “Drinking milk rehydrates children after running around in the playground which helps them to concentrate and learn.
“It also means they get the essential nutrients such as calcium and protein, both vital in helping them to grow up with strong, healthy teeth and bones.”
The film is supported by a storybook written by award-winning author Caryl Hart which the children can take home and read with their parents. In addition, the schools who choose to take part in the initiative will receive special lesson plans developed by the CFT in accordance with the national curriculum.
Mrs Jane Mainprize, Headteacher at Awsworth Primary school where the launch of The Cool Milk Show took place, said she’s delighted to be supprting the campaign.
“The children absolutely loved watching the DVD and were up on their feet dancing and singing and really getting involved,” said Jane.
“It’s a really effective teaching aid and along with the book will help us to get the message across to children and parents of the importance of milk to growing children.
“We encourage pupils to continue drinking milk throughout their school life as it satisfies their appetite, keeping them going from breakfast through to lunchtime. It also teaches them about responsibility and helping others as we nominate a weekly school milk monitor who has to collect the milk cartons from the fridge and share them out amongst their classmates.”
Also at the launch was Susan Harris, Catering Manager from Nottinghamshire County Council, who said the authority is encouraging every school in the county to take advantage of the scheme.
Susan said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to get schoolchildren across Nottinghamshire enjoying milk from an early age.
“We’ve already had fantastic feedback about the DVD and the storybook and we are confident over the coming months more schools will sign up for the scheme.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
School milk
- In the UK every child under the age of five in a day care or early years setting for two or more hours a day is entitled to a free 189ml serving of milk. Children over the age of five in primary education are entitled to subsidised milk.
- Milk is a great source of nearly every vitamin and mineral of nutritional importance to humans, especially for children of a young age.
- For the top ten reasons to drink school milk go to www.coolmilk.com/whyschoolmilk
Cool Milk
- Cool Milk is one of the UK’s leading school milk suppliers and works in partnership with local authorities nationwide, serving thousands of children with fresh milk daily.
- Its aim is to provide every child in early years and primary education with the opportunity to drink fresh milk every day.
- The Cool Milk scheme is administration-friendly and cost-free and is designed to make providing school milk quick and simple for schools and nurseries.
- For more information visit www.coolmilk.com
Kate Strawson
Shooting Star PR
01522 528540
kate@shootingstar-pr.co.uk
www.shootingstar-pr.co.uk
t: @KateStrawson
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