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Share  Tweet Thursday 6th December 2018

British Orienteering supports campaign for children's #righttobeactive

British Orienteering is proud to support the Sport and Recreation Alliance #RightToBeActive campaign, which asks all of society to join the call for the government to embed the fundamental right of all children to be active into policy, regulations and legislation.

Click here to sign the petition now to show your support

The campaign aims to place a child’s right to be active on the same footing as their rights to education, shelter and nutrition. The benefits of being physically active are huge. However, shifts in society can mean that children don’t have the same exercise habits as previous generations.

Britain is not active enough. We are the most obese nation in Western Europe, with rates rising faster than any other developed nation.

#RightToBeActive Campaign

Statistics show that:

  • 80% of girls and 77% of boys are not active enough to stay healthy;
  • 20% of children are obese by the end of primary school;
  • 93% of children say they like being active but we are failing to use physical activity to improve their health.

Sport and recreation can help solve many of the biggest threats facing our children. Making it part of their daily lives will make them healthier and happier.

What needs to happen?

Join the Sport and Recreation Alliance’s call for the government to give every child the fundamental #RightToBeActive by:

  • Establishing a new law requiring councils to provide all children with the opportunity to be active and to coordinate and promote physical activity across everything they do;
  • Creating a long-term, properly funded and child-focussed strategy to transform the physical and mental wellbeing of our children;
  • Introducing new legislation to make it a requirement for government ministers and public bodies to put the United Nations Rights of the Child, the right to play and lead a healthy life, at the heart of decision making.

Help spread the word about this important initiative by simply signing the Alliance’s petition (https://bit.ly/2xIaR9v) and sharing it with others to help the Sport & Recreation Alliance reach its initial target of 10,000 signatures.

The Sport and Recreation Alliance believes that every child has the fundamental #RightToBeActive. The problem of inactivity among our children and young people is far-reaching and we must work together to solve this crisis. The Alliance is calling on government, the sport sector, schools, communities, families and the public to show that they will not allow this to continue.

Since the petition was created it has gained over 1500 signatures from people who are ready to see a change. However, Sport and Recreation Alliance still need more support to reach their 2500 signature goal.

Please sign and share this petition! Together, we can make a stand and provide a better, healthier future for children across the UK.

To sign the petition - click here

For more information about the #RightToBeActive campaign, including how you can get further involved, please head to the Sport and Recreation Alliance website.

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