Badge of honour for winning Amber
Design is used for walk to school campaign
A creative east Perthshire girl’s talents are to be pinned on thousands of children across the country after she won a design competition.
Amber Hood, who attends Kirkmichael Primary School, was one of more than 100,000 children who entered a competition to support children who walk to school at last once a week.
UK charity Living Streets came up with competition as part of its year round WOW campaign which encourages pupils to walk to school by awarding those who do with collectable badges.
Amber’s design of a Highland cow was one of the competition winners and more than half a million copies of her design have now been sent to schools across Scotland and England to be handed out to pupils who take part in the challenge.
Kirkmichael Primary School pupils celebrated Amber’s win on Friday with special guests Perthshire North MSP John Swinney, Strider, the Living Streets mascot, who presented Amber with a big replica badge and a WOW goody bag, and a Highland cow brought to the school to mark the occasion.
Mr Swinney said: “I am delighted to be visiting Kirkmichael Primary School and to be awarding Amber with her prize.
“Walking to school is a good start to a young person’s day – it is an easy way to stay fit and active but it can also help to make sure pupils are ready for the school day.
“Amber’s design, along with Living Streets’ campaign, will hopefully encourage more children Deputy First Minister John Swinney with design winner Amber Hood to enjoy walking to school in the mornings, thereby reducing the number of cars around school gates.”
Chris Thompson, schools coordinator at Living Streets Scotland, said: “Walking to school is an easy and free way for children to get active and stay healthy.
“Teachers confirm that pupils who walk to school are more alert, ready to learn and achieve better grades than those who are driven.
“Hopefully Amber’s success will encourage more pupils to take part in WOW and start experiencing the joys walking to school brings.”