Celebs kick off schools’ health scheme

TOP athlete Sonia O’Sullivan and radio star Ray D’Arcy yesterday kicked off a health scheme which will provide €1 million of sports equipment to primary schools.

Footballs, rugby balls, badminton nets and rackets, pogo sticks and gymnastics beams are being made available in a bid to lure children away from the television and into physical activity.

The Kids in Action scheme, which is being run by Super Valu, was launched by Children’s Minister Brian Lenihan and Irish Sports Council chief executive John Treacy in Dublin. Vouchers for the equipment will be given to families who shop in Super Valu stores.

Ray D’Arcy said the scheme was a fantastic idea.

“It is solely focused on primary schools, where all of the expert advice is telling us we need to focus our attention to ensure our kids form the eating and healthy activity habits that will ensure they grow up to be healthy adults,” he said.

Olympian Sonia O’Sullivan said: “It’s very important to educate young children so they have an enjoyment and love of sports throughout their lives.

“When you see the statistics ... it’s quite frightening there’s that amount of obesity in children, and that it’s increasing.

“It’s something we all need to pay attention to and do something about because children are the future of Ireland.”