Press Release: Dr Rosena Allin-Khan MP launches The Daily Mile in Tooting

Today, Dr Rosena Allin-Khan launched The Daily Mile in Tooting at Smallwood Primary and Gatton Primary schools.

As Shadow Minister for Sport, Rosena is keen to work with Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, to encourage schools across London to sign up to The Daily Mile. The Mayor of London has recently put his support behind the campaign to ensure that London becomes the first Daily Mile Capital City. This commitment was celebrated most recently when the Mayor ran a Daily Mile alongside Sir Mo Farah at a school in East London to encourage more schools to sign-up across the 32 boroughs.

The Daily Mile was founded in 2012 by Elaine Wyllie who will be attending tomorrow along with British middle-distance runner Adelle Tracey. Children who complete The Daily Mile have been found to be significantly healthier than those who do not. Cost neutral initiatives such as The Daily Mile are essential in combating childhood obesity and inactivity.

Dr Rosena Allin-Khan stated:

“The Daily Mile is a fantastic cost-neutral initiative for all schools which will make a real difference to the health of all children involved.

“As no specialist equipment or kit is required, The Daily Mile is easily accessible and acts as a real equalizer.

“With increasing levels of childhood obesity and inactivity, The Daily Mile ensures that all children in participating schools can get involved – this is ever more important now we are seeing increasing cuts to PE hours in school.

“I am proud to be working with Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, to encourage schools across London to take up The Daily Mile to improve fitness in our schools.”

Founder of The Daily Mile, Elaine Wyllie said:

“I am delighted by the support we have received from Dr Rosena Allin-Khan which will no doubt boost our presence across the borough dramatically. Support from MPs nationwide has been transformational for the campaign throughout 2018.

We have been praised by the Prime Minister, included as a key measure in the Government’s Childhood Obesity Strategy, and cross-party MPs including Deputy Labour Leader Tom Watson, have spread the word in their own constituencies by running their own Daily Mile.

This recognition is truly outstanding and has contributed to the success of the initiative which has seen over 6,700 schools sign up. There is no doubt that The Daily Mile’s growth in 2018 is a win for the health and well being of young people everywhere.”

ENDS.