Over the past four weeks, more than 4,000 school pupils from 180 schools have taken part!
Wenlock and Mandeville join the last leg of month-long Games themed walking relay!
3 Nov 2011
Wenlock and Mandeville, the two London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic mascots, will give the last leg of a month-long London 2012 Games themed walking relay – the Big WoW – a final push before it comes to an end this Friday, 4 November.
Over the past four weeks, more than 4,000 school pupils from 180 schools have taken part in the walking event to carry the 1948 London and 1956 Melbourne Olympic Torches through every London borough.
The mascots will join around 200 pupils from 16 schools in Greenwich as the Olympic torches reach the end of the Transport for London (TfL) sponsored walking relay, which is part of a month of London 2012 Games themed walking activity. The relay forms part of this year’s annual Big WoW to encourage primary school children to walk to school and to make walking part of their everyday lives.
The relay started on 3 October in Newham, passing along one of the London 2012 Games walking and cycling routes. The relay then travelled to Havering where former and current Olympic athletes and celebrities took part. Those involved included Lloyd Scott MBE, current Olympic Gold Medallist, Mark Hunter MBE, double World Champion rower and youth athlete Victoria Ohuruogu.
Ben Plowden, Director of Better Routes and Places at TfL, said: “It’s encouraging to see so many children taking part in the walking relay. We hope the experience will inspire children to spread the word to their parents and walk more often both to school and on other journeys, and to make use of the walking and cycling routes which we have been improving in time for the 2012 Games and beyond.”
In addition to the relay, pupils took part in various London 2012 Games themed activities as part of the Big WoW. For example, a competition called ‘Welcome to my Borough’ has been taking place throughout. Each participating school is encouraging pupils to enter a factual story, inspired by local landmarks they encountered during their relay walk. The winning entries from the ‘Welcome to my Borough’ competition will be put on display in City Hall.
Schools that have taken part in the big WOW are encouraged to join the Get Set network by the 16 December 2011. As well as creating opportunities for children and young people to get involved in the excitement of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, members of the Get Set network gain access to exclusive rewards and opportunities.
