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HALTON MP HELPS CHILDREN CELEBRATE

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News Release
26 September 2012 

Derek Twigg, MP for Halton, helped children at St Gerard's Roman Catholic Primary School in Widnes celebrate World School Milk Day by handing out milk to the children.

St Gerard's Roman Catholic Primary School was one of thousands of schools across more than 30 countries taking part in celebrations dedicated to World School Milk Day on 26thSeptember. The day encourages children to drink milk and aims to educate them about the benefits of milk. 

In the UK, school milk is free for children in day-care or primary education under the age of five and subsidised for school children aged five to 11. Milk is delivered fresh and chilled to the classroom, distributed by children and consumed as a group.

This process aids children’s social development, including responsibility, independence and manners.  Children also benefit from the nutrients and vitamins in milk, which aids their health and physical development – while also helping to ensure their hydration and improved concentration.

St Gerard's Roman Catholic Primary School promotes milk as it adds to their Healthy School Status which helps improve child health, raise pupil achievement, improve social inclusion and encourage closer working between health and education providers.

Mr Twigg said: “I am delighted to be visiting St Gerard’s Roman Catholic Primary on Wednesday 26th September to support the pupils and staff as they celebrate World Milk Day.

“I’m backing the involvement of the pupils at the School in this initiative – in its 13th year as set up by the United Nations’ Food & Agriculture Organisation – because we all know the importance of milk and milk-based foodstuffs for a nutritious diet to help people children grow healthily and fulfil their potential in education and into adulthood.

“We should celebrate World Milk Day as helping our local children and children across the world benefit from high calcium intake, developing strong teeth and bones and a healthier lifestyle which will stand them in good stead for the future.

“I’m looking forward to handing out school milk to the pupils, judging drawing competitions, and celebrating with the pupils and their teachers the importance of milk for a healthy balanced diet in a fun and informative way.”

John Sedgwick, Managing Director for Cool Milk, confirmed that supplying milk to schools, nurseries is vital in helping children to develop important nutrition and social habits. He said: “Milk in schools continues to be incredibly popular and hugely successful in contributing to the healthy development of all children – but especially where children are struggling to get their daily nutrients.”

World School Milk Day is celebrated globally on 26th September. For more information go to www.worldschoolmilkday.com

Notes to Editor

  • Cool Milk is the UK’s leading school milk supplier, working in partnership with local authorities and early years groups to supply free and subsidised school milk to children in pre-schools, nurseries, and primary schools across the UK.
  • The 1944 Education Act introduced a free milk clause which gave a free glass (1/3 pint) of milk to all school children in the United Kingdom under the age of 18. Today, under the Welfare Food Scheme run by the Department of Health, under-fives are still eligible for free school milk. Milk is also subsidised for school children aged five to 11 by the European Union under the European school milk scheme.
  • Health benefits of drinking milk from a young age include the prevention of broken bones and the onset of osteoporosis as well as improvements in dental health.
  • World School Milk Day began in 2000 and is an initiative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). More than 30 countries around the world including China, Iran, India and Tanzania will celebrate the day this year. 
  • Photos of the visit can be downloaded here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/86248778@N02/sets/72157631628482819/

Lindsey Cawrey
Shooting Star PR
mob (prefered number): 07801 519067
tel (if unavailable on mobile): 01522 528540
lindsey@shootingstar-pr.co.uk
www.shootingstar-pr.co.uk

Tags:

Cool Milk World School Milk Day