Since their inception more than 20,000 children have been involved in our Health Promotion For Schools. The first Health Promotion For Schools began in 1996, using 'Hugo The Magician' to teach primary school children the importance of healthy eating, taking more exercise, practising safe sun and the dangers of smoking. Its aim is to heighten awareness of healthy living and reinforce health messages among primary school children.

The success of this programme laid the basis for our current Schools Programme. The latest primary school presentation, 'Wally & Wise' was launched in September 1999, and has been endorsed by UTV presenter, Frank Mitchell.

In 1997 we introduced our 'Pink Lady' Roadshow, aimed at 14 - 18 year olds, at the bidding of Dee Kee, a PE teacher who developed breast cancer herself. She proposed having someone come into schools to educate teenage girls about breast cancer awareness and for this to be followed by an aerobics workout to underpin the healthy living message. The girls would be encouraged to fundraise to help Action Cancer provide its cancer detection, research, health promotion, counselling and complementary therapy services.

Teachers who benefitted from using the programme as part of their curriculum later asked for a similar programme to be introduced for boys and the 'Health In Action' Roadshow was born.

Local independent retail chain, Centra, has signed a three year sponsorship deal for the programme.

Christine Grant, Marketing Manager, Musgrave SuperValu-Centra NI explains why Centra decided to support the initiative:

"All three roadshows heighten awareness of healthy living and provide practical tips on developing a healthy lifestyle. Centra, a local independent retail chain, at the heart of the community, is aware that lessons learnt in the formative years are crucial to future development.

In the ongoing fight against cancer, education from an early age with relation to eating habits and exercise will help to instil patterns of behaviour that are maintained for years to come. For this reason Centra has sponsored the 'School Action' programme for three years."

Suzanne Patrick, Events & PR Officer, discusses how the sponsorship will benefit the programme.

"The 'School Action' programme is a unique initiative devised by Action Cancer for schools throughout Northern Ireland. Action Cancer recognised the need to educate young people in the importance of a healthy diet, care in the sun and the need to take exercise. The interactive nature of the roadshows encourages young people to share their ideas and to ask questions thereby ensuring that learning about a healthy lifestyle is enjoyable.

"With Centra's support the 'School Action' programme will be able to attend a greater number of schools throughout the year and we look forward to working with the group over the coming years."

The fundraising element of the programme is important but remains secondary to the Health Promotion work. However, Action Cancer is keen to develop ongoing relationships with schools such as Woodlawn Primary in Carrickfergus, which has fundraised for Action Cancer since the charity's inception.

Further information and leaflets on the Roadshows can be obtained from our leaflet library.