Cash boost will help students keep fit

Getting active is about to get even easier for college students and staff.

Smarter Choices Smarter Places, Paths for All and Transport Scotland are supporting Forth Valley College with a welcome funding boost.

The college has recently been successful with an application for £33,547 in grant funding to recruit an Active Travel Officer for one year and also to set up a trial of evening classes with Falkirk Active Travel Hub for bike/e-bike maintenance classes.

Paths for All is a charity and is the champion of everyday walking in Scotland.

Graham McQueen, Smarter Choices, Smarter Places manager said:“Changing the way we make everyday journeys is good for our health, it’s good for our communities and it helps protect our environment. We need to drive less and walk, wheel or cycle more for short local journeys and try to use public transport more for longer journeys to improve our lives, create safer, more pleasant communities and to protect our environment.

“It’s great to support this initiative at FVC which aims to change the way students and staff commute.

“The Active Travel Officer will be on hand to raise awareness of the benefits of active and sustainable travel, give practical information, and also organise events such as lunchtime walks and bike rides.

“It’s important we get this message out to young people at college and university as good, healthy habits formed here will last the rest of their lives.”

Pauline Donaldson, FVC’s Soft Services and Sustainability Manager, said:“We are positive that this will lead to great improvements in the health and wellbeing of our staff and students and promote healthier lifestyles.

“It also supports FVC’s and the wider sector’s contribution to climate change.”