13 December 2007

Presentation to b-active competition winners and National Open College Network students

The winners of two sports competitions and successful students received their prizes and certificates respectively on Tuesday 11 December.

The Mayor of Derby, Councillor Pauline Latham, presented prizes of a Center Parcs holiday, skiing lessons, Assembly Rooms tickets and sports equipment or vouchers to the winners of a ‘b-active’ competition and a prize draw for completing the ‘b-active’ summer challenge. She also presented certificates to residents who have completed a National Open College Network qualification in community research.

The ‘b-active’ competition involved naming the campaign’s two mascots. The summer challenge involved completing several different activities to collect stickers. The students completed research on activity levels among Derby people to get their qualification.

The ‘b-active’ campaign by Derby City Council, Derby City Primary Care Trust and other partners aims to improve physical activity levels because research carried out last year by Leeds Metropolitan University showed that, on average, 57% of Derby children aged five to 16 do not take enough exercise to stay healthy. The Council and its partners want to reduce this to 43.5% by 2009.

More information about the ‘b-active’ campaign is at www.derby.gov.uk/b-active.

Councillor Alan Graves, Cabinet Member for Leisure and Direct Services, said: “The ‘b-active’ campaign is proving a great success and I hope the winners will continue to enjoy getting active as they make use of their prizes. I am very grateful to these NOCN students, who are now putting their knowledge to good use by helping us with the ‘b-active’ campaign on a voluntary basis.”

The ‘b-active’ campaign is part of Derby City Partnership’s Getting Derby Active strategy, which encourages everyone to enjoy a healthier, more active lifestyle. Getting more children to take seven hours of physical activity each week is one of Derby City Partnership’s 12 targets in its Local Public Service Agreement. Under this agreement, the Partnership is aiming to meet higher performance targets than would otherwise be possible. If it is successful, it will be rewarded with extra Government money.