Editor's choice June 2009

Biggest Walking Bus

Children and staff at Ladypool School attempted to get into the Guinness Book Of Records recently by taking part in the world’s biggest walking bus.

The record attempt, which involved 446 children from the school, formed part of a school initiative to promote the walking bus scheme, which the school hopes to develop in the future.

The record attempt, which was for ‘the largest simultaneous walking bus in multiple locations’, was organised by ‘BRAKE’ the road safety charity. Ladypool School Inclusion Team Worker Elaine Satchwell who organised the Ladypool School aspect of the record attempt said, “I am so glad I had the pleasure of organising this event. I was a little worried about it all coming together on the morning but with the support of the staff and the enthusiasm of the children it was a huge success. I hope this has made the children more aware of how good for them it would be to walk to school but also how important it is to stay safe. There is also the added bonus of taking part in a Guinness World Record.

This year 155,000 children are expected to take part in the Record Breaking Walking Bus. The current world record stands at 57,476 so hopefully we will smash the record. Thank you to all the children and staff for making it an enjoyable event and also to Alexa Stables and Jason Creed, two Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) and Fareeda Akbar (Road Safety Officer) for being our witnesses and Peter Cole from the Balsall Heathan for taking the photographic evidence.”

PCSO Alexa Stables said of the project, “It would be great if we could encourage more children to be involved in walking busses, as they help reduce the issues surrounding parking and traffic that accompany the school run.”

Road Safety Officer for Birmingham City Council said of the record attempt, “It is great to see the idea being promoted in this way, well done”.