ARTA Media Release
18 August 2008

Auckland men encouraged to become ‘Men on the Move’

With Father’s Day just around the corner, a joint initiative by the Auckland Regional Transport Authority (ARTA) and AMI Insurance encourages Auckland men to add to their enjoyment of being actively involved with the parenting of their children by having a go at walking their kids to school, with the opportunity to win great prizes at the same time.

Sue Kendall, ARTA’s Walking School Bus Coordinator, says, “Fathers Day is a time of the year when families celebrate the vital role dads play in parenting. The ‘Men on the Move’ campaign enables men to become even more involved, and gives them the chance to win a $500.00 Bunnings Warehouse voucher or a $200.00 Rebel Sports voucher if they join an official Walking School Bus at least twice between 25 August and 19 September 2008.

“The Walking School Bus programme – where a group of children walks to and from school supervised by adults – has been growing steadily and we now have over 2,000 adult volunteers walking with 4,500 children on 254 Walking School Bus routes throughout the Auckland region. However, currently only one in seven Walking School Bus volunteers are male, and we would love to see this number increase.

“In the current climate of increasing petrol prices and living costs, Walking School Buses are a great way to save on petrol while giving parents and caregivers a chance to spend time with their children and do something positive for their school. Walking their children to school allows parents to pass on road safety skills, get involved with their children’s education, meet other parents, and keep fit and healthy.

“Many of our volunteers also find that joining a Walking School Bus saves them time – by volunteering one day a week they then have the other weekdays free while their children still get the benefit of safely walking to school under adult supervision.”

Ms Kendall says, “Walking School Bus volunteers come from all walks of life, from shift workers to senior managers. While the majority of volunteers are parents of school-age children, uncles, grandparents, friends and caregivers can also be involved in supporting their community’s Walking School Bus.”

To find out how to become a ‘Man on the Move’ or for more information about the Walking School Bus programme, please contact Sue Kendall on 09 815 2546 or email sue.kendall@arta.co.nz

Note to editors:
Contact details of local schools and volunteers involved in the Walking School Bus programme are available on request.

ENDS

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