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Local pupils have the fit factor

Thursday, 29 April 2010

PUPILS from St Gabriel's NS on Cowper Street are calling on Dubliners to get behind them in their battle to win the national Lidl Fit Factor competition. The school’s healthy kids have already been chosen as the Dublin winners of the fun challenge which was created in conjunction with the Irish Heart Foundation. Fit Factor is targeted at primary third and fourth class pupils to promote healthy eating and physical activity. St Gabriel’s won a bonus of e1,000 worth of sports equipment vouchers for being chosen as a regional winner and they now go head to head with four other schools from around to country to compete for a top prize of another e5,000 worth of vouchers and the honour of being crowned ‘Lidl Fit Factor Champions’. However, the school needs help from Northsiders who are being urged to vote for them next month. Over 20,000 third and fourth class pupils took part in the competition which was designed to help teach aspects of the SPHE curriculum in a fun and enjoyable manner. Teacher at St Gabriel’s, Michelle O'Doherty, said her pupils were delighted to have won the Dublin regional prize and were looking forward to competing for the national title. “We got great enjoyment while participating in the programme, and we are so grateful to Lidl for giving us the opportunity to enter this competition,” she said. “Thanks so much to them for the prize of a e1,000 voucher for mcsport.ie - all the new equipment will really benefit the children.” Aoife Clarke, Lidl Ireland, says St Gabriel’s is in with a good chance of winning Fit Factor outright. “They’ve now got a fantastic opportunity to clinch one of the top prizes, but they need the local community to get behind them and vote for the class on www.fitfactor.ie,” she said. Maureen Mulvihill, Irish Heart Foundation congratulated the St Gabriel’s pupils on their success so far in the competition. “Many lifelong habits are formed during a child’s early years, therefore communicating positive healthy lifestyle messages such as a varied diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables and encouraging physical activity, will help children adopt a positive outlook to food and exercise,” she said. “These crucial life lessons will lead to a healthier lifestyle in adulthood and hopefully reduce their future risk of heart problems by a significant amount.” • To vote for St Gabriel’s log onto www.fitfactor.ie and follow the link to register your support. Voting  closes at 5pm on Friday April 30.