MSP celebrates 12 months of The Daily Mile

In December 2018 news reached Merseyside that it had been selected for National Lottery funding through Sport England, to support primary schools to implement The Daily Mile initiative.

Not-for-profit organisation MSP was tasked with leading on the local support offer here in the county. It aims to help Merseyside feel the benefits of being active and, 12 months into supporting the initiative, says it’s delighted to see over a third of the county’s primary schools signed up and feeling the positive effects.

As MSP reflects on its first year of support, Grace Perry, the organisation’s The Daily Mile™ local co-ordinator, said: “It’s been amazing watching the impact the scheme is having. We’re seeing improvements to children’s mental wellbeing, better concentration and raised attainment, reductions in obesity, plus loads of other benefits. I’m incredibly excited to help more schools get started this year”

Nicola King, PE co-ordinator and Y2 teacher at Bedford Primary School, Sefton, said: “Every class takes part in The Daily Mile. Children are encouraged to track their own laps so they can see their fitness improving.

“Results include: a boy with poor attendance who consistently attended for six weeks after starting The Daily Mile; a pupil who had hardly spoken with me in term one who willingly engaged in conversation as I ran The Daily Mile with the class; plus, an overweight girl who progressed from four laps to 12 as she built her fitness, lost weight, and gained confidence in the process.”

Primary schools in Merseyside can get more information about the support available to implement The Daily Mile™ and details of how to sign up for FREE at www.merseysidesport.com/the-daily-mile.