TV Doctor to Launch School Milk Scheme in Doncaster

***NEWS RELEASE***

7th May 2013

Breakfast TV Health Editor Dr Hilary Jones GP will be visiting two schools in Doncaster this week to talk to the children about the benefits of drinking milk at school.

His visit to Bentley High Street Primary School and Balby Central Primary School on Thursday 9th May also marks the official launch of a new partnership between Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council and leading school milk supplier Cool Milk.

As from 15th April Cool Milk has been working in partnership with the council and local dairies to supply free and subsidised school milk to children in pre-schools, nurseries and primary schools.

Peter Dale, Director of Regeneration and Environment at Doncaster Council, said: “This new partnership is great news for Doncaster schools and local milk producers – it means that schools will continue to get milk from local cows, supporting our local economy and ensuring kids stay strong and healthy.

“Cool Milk will help ensure the continued smooth running of this fantastic service which hopefully more and more children will benefit from.”

Cool Milk currently supplies over 24,000 education providers from Land’s End to John O’Groats with free school milk.

Managing Director John Sedgwick said: “Many parents don’t realise that their child is entitled to free or subsided milk at school and we’re looking forward to working alongside Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council to ensure more children in Doncaster benefit from the Government scheme.

“Cool Milk makes the provision of free and subsidised milk easier for schools, nurseries and early years providers by taking away the administrative and financial burden.

“We also have an important message to get across to parents and teachers about the health and educational benefits of drinking milk at school which is why we’ve invited Dr Hilary along.”

Dr Hilary, who is also Cool Milk’s Medical Advisor, said milk is a very important part of overall nutrition for children.

“Milk is one of the most nutritionally complete foods available and provides a wide variety of minerals, vitamins and protein and other nutrients to keep them healthy,” said Dr Hilary.

“As well as promoting good health, milk can help prevent dehydration and gives an energy boost in a way that does not harm teeth, aiding concentration, memory and creativity in class.”

As well as talking to the children Dr Hilary will be meeting the head teachers and staff, taking part in a special assembly and meeting parents.

ENDS

Photo/interview opportunities

Members of the media are welcome to attend the following photograph/interview opportunities:

Please confirm your attendance by calling Kate Strawson at shooting Star PR on 01522 528540 or emailing kate@shootingstar-pr.co.uk.

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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