Let’s pass this baton on for the health of our children

When it comes to pomp, pageantry and right royal occasions nowhere does it better than Portsmouth.

Cast your minds back a decade – yes it really is 10 years ago – to 2012, when 65,000 spectators flocked to Southsea Common to witness the Olympic Torch pass through, and pop duo Rizzle Kicks performed.

They were incredible scenes which captured the spirit of the nation in the run-up to those amazing London games which did us all proud.

And now we can do it all again to help celebrate another momentous occasion in our history – the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee marking her 70 years on the throne.

The arrival of the Queen’s Baton Relay in the city on July 6 and its tour of key sites in Portsmouth is a great honour for us and one which we expect thousands to turn out for.

But there is so much more to this international relay event promoting the Birmingham Commonwealth Games.

For away from the razzamatazz is a serious message about improving the health of the people of Portsmouth, especially that of children.

The occasion will be used to celebrate all the opportunities Portsmouth residents have to play sport and get active.

As council leader Cllr Gerald Vernon-Jackson says: ‘Every week thousands of people in the city take part in a huge range of activities and by highlighting them we hope to get even more involved.

‘We want to have a healthier city and I'd encourage anyone with a team, club or group that would like new members to get involved.’

As we know, getting active is good physically and mentally and heaven knows, after the past two-and-a-half years we have just endured, we could all do with a fresh and active approach to life.

The baton relay could be just the inspiration we need.