Bike marathon helps pupils climb high

Youngsters swapped classrooms for a climbing wall and obstacle course in a special sports awareness day at their Blaydon school. More than 230 boys and girls at St. Mary's and St Thomas Aquinas Catholic Primary School tackled a variety of sporting activities, including basketball with Newcastle Eagles star Charles Smith, rugby tuition from Falcons coaching staff, and breakdancing under the guidance of Balen and John from Dance City.

The event was made possible by graduates from housebuilder Barratt Newcastle, who completed a sponsored 140-mile ‘Coast to Coast' cycle ride from Workington to Tynemouth to raise funds.

Barratt ‘spokeswoman' Kate Lister said: "As part of the Barratt graduate training programme we are encouraged to get involved in a voluntary event. We were aware of the Government initiative to improve sporting activities in North East schools, so we thought we'd get on our bikes to support it.

"Everyone seemed to enjoy the day, with the climbing wall and breakdancing being particular favourites."

Children's participation levels in physical activity in the region are extremely low. Under its Sport England initiative the Government target for 2020 is 70%, so the councils, schools, local authorities and sports clubs in the region have a real challenge ahead to hit target and raise the current participation rate of just 28%.

Deputy Head Mandy Tellyn said: "The event has been a huge success. The children were active all day and enjoyed equipment and expert coaching that we would not have been able to provide as a school."