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PENISTONE AND STOCKSBRIDGE MP HELPS CHILDREN CELEBRATE

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News Release
1 October 2012 

PENISTONE AND STOCKSBRIDGE MP HELPS CHILDREN CELEBRATE


Angela Smith, MP for Penistone and Stocksbridge, helped children at Silkstone Pre-school Playgroup celebrate World School Milk Day by handing out milk to the children.

Silkstone Pre-school Playgroup was one of thousands of schools across more than 30 countries which took 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.

Silkstone Pre-school Playgroup 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.

Kerry, from the Playgroup, said: “Milk is an important part of the pre-school routine. It provides children with the necessary calcium, vitamins and other nutrients that have been proven to build bones and teeth as well as promoting the healthy functions of muscles and blood vessels. This contributes to their ability to play and enjoy themselves throughout the day.

“By receiving the milk it also helped our setting to gain its Healthy Early Years Award in January 2012.”

Angela Smith said: “Milk is a great source of vitamins so necessary for a healthy life. It contains protein, so good for the development of the brain and a healthy heart and it contains potassium helping to keep a good balance in the body. Not only that though it tastes great too and the calcium in it gives kids strong bones that will last a lifetime.

“Everyone should have at least a glass a day.”  

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 was 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 event can be downloaded here:   http://www.flickr.com/photos/86248778@N02/sets/72157631644147596/

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