Gold medallist meets Gold Standard School to promote greener ways to travel

Cycling legend Dame Sarah Storey visited Hawthorn Primary School in Doncaster today to promote positive messages around active travel, as part of a Doncaster-wide 'Active travel for schools' day.

The multiple gold medal winning Paralympian met with pupils for a school run with a difference – children and their parents met at Cantley Park and walked to school together, enjoying a leisurely start to their day. Elmham Road outside Hawthorn School, was also closed for the day to encourage youngsters, parents and school staff to walk, cycle and even scoot their way in to class.

Pupils made the most of the road closure, with events throughout the day taking place on the street such as a pedal powered sound system, smoothie bikes and circus skills.

With world leaders currently descending on the COP26 event in Glasgow to discuss how to tackle the climate emergency, Hawthorn Primary School has been doing its bit to motivate and inspire people to try out a greener alternative to the school run, and has recently been recognised as Doncaster's first Gold accredited Modeshift STARS School. Modeshift STARS recognises schools, businesses and other organisations that have shown excellence in supporting cycling, walking and other forms of sustainable and active travel.

South Yorkshire Combined Mayoral Authority (SYMCA) Active Travel Commissioner, Dame Sarah Storey, said: "Although journeys to school are most often walked, the area outside schools is frequently dominated by vehicles. I'm really pleased to be able to present Hawthorn Primary with their Modeshift award in recognition of all the work the school community is doing to promote active travel. The school street is a great way to celebrate that, and we would like to help any school that wants fewer cars at drop off and pick up time."

Cllr Mark Houlbrook, portfolio holder for sustainability, said: "It's been an honour and a privilege to welcome Dame Sarah Storey to Doncaster and to our gold standard Modeshift STARS school, Hawthorn Primary.
"By taking part in active travel schemes, the school is benefitting the local area, the environment and, even more crucially, the children themselves.

"We want to thank the children and their parents for taking part and inspiring others across our borough to consider greener alternatives for travelling to school. We are determined to achieve our aims of greener travel and net zero ambitions across Doncaster."

Other schools across Doncaster have also been encouraging pupils, parents and staff to walk, cycle or scoot to school today and have been sharing photos of their journeys on social media using the #StrideToSchoolDN for a chance to win active travel themed prizes for their school.