CGS: Dean Downing with Cllrs Richard Lewis and Keith Wakefield and pupils from Kippax schools
Professional cyclist Dean Downing joined pupils from Kippax North junior and infant school and senior Leeds councillors to promote the Walk the History of the Games School Challenge this week.
The challenge, which aims to promote walking and cycling to school, is being run across all schools in West Yorkshire where they walk, cycle or scoot their way around the globe to help promote healthy and environmentally friendly ways of travelling to school.
The event, organised by the school travel and road safety team, saw Dean visiting Kippax North Junior & Infant School, and joined by children from Great Preston and Kippax Ash Tree primary schools. Dean helped pupils practise their cycling skills on a Go Cycling course and Watt bikes. Later on the children went head-to-head in team relay races and individual pursuits.
Dean, who has just returned from a tour of Korea, chatted to the children about his recent racing events.
Barbara Clark, head teacher at Kippax North Junior and Infant School said:
“ In this exciting Olympic year , we have thoroughly enjoyed being able to welcome Dean Downing and pupils from Ash Tree and Great Preston schools to our school. Cycling is very important to us, and now we have our own full sized track at school our pupils are able to enjoy exciting challenges, as well as being taught how to cycle safely, and we welcome the opportunity to share it with our visitors. It's been fantastic to see a top class professional cyclist at Kippax North, and to hear about the training and dedication needed to be a winner!"
Cllr Keith Wakefield, Leader of Leeds City Council and a governor at Kippax Ash Tree Primary School and Cllr Richard Lewis, the council's executive member for city development, also joined in the event.
Cllr Wakefield said:
“Cycling is a fantastic way to travel. It keeps you fit and healthy and it’s environmentally friendly too. I’ve been a keen cyclist most of my life so it’s particularly good to have a chance to pass on some of my own enthusiasm for the sport.
“This project is a really imaginative way of encouraging children to cycle safely and with confidence and to support the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games at the same time. “
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For media enquiries, please contact;
Annie Goodyear, Leeds City Council press office (0113) 224 3937
Email: anniegoodyear@leeds.gov.uk
