Press Release: Andy Murray backs The Daily Mile Campaign

ANDY MURRAY BACKS THE DAILY MILE CAMPAIGN TO GET CHILDREN FITTER, HEALTHIER AND HELP COMBAT CHILDHOOD OBESITY IN FOUR NEW FILMS  

  • Following its inclusion in the Government’s strategy to halve childhood obesity by 2030, support for The Daily Mile continues to grow as tennis ace Andy Murray backs the initiative in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Murray is supporting projects which aim to encourage more people to start a regular habit that leads to a more active lifestyle as part of NHS70 Celebrations.
  • In his first engagement as Ambassador for the NHS, Murray stars in four new films to inspire schools to sign-up to the simple initiative that aims to make children fit for life.
  • Founder of The Daily Mile, Elaine Wyllie, said: “It is wonderful that Andy Murray has supported The Daily Mile Foundation through his work as an NHS ambassador. To have Andy on board highlights the positive impact The Daily Mile is having across the UK.”
  • The Daily Mile is now in over 5,000 schools in 44 countries with over 1,000,000 children taking part and is growing daily.

Following high profile support from the Prime Minister, the Scottish Government and cross-party MPs, Andy Murray is the latest public figure to support the popular children’s fitness initiative, The Daily Mile. Today, The Daily Mile has released the first of four exclusive films of Murray’s visit to a school to celebrate his support of the initiative. Murray shows how schools can help pupils become fitter, healthier and combat childhood obesity by joining The Daily Mile and encourages schools everywhere to sign-up.

Murray will use his public profile across Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to inspire more schools to sign up to the simple yet effective initiative, which is now in over 5,000 schools across 44 countries and has been included as a key measure in the Government’s strategy to halve childhood obesity by 2030.

The Daily Mile started life in St Ninian’s Primary School in Stirling in 2012 – close to Andy Murray’s hometown Dunblane – by former headteacher Elaine Wyllie and has become a leading initiative for improving children’s health and wellbeing in the UK. The aim of The Daily Mile is to improve the physical, social, emotional and mental health and wellbeing of  children – regardless of age, ability, or personal circumstances.

In May, research findings from the Universities of Stirling and Edinburgh urged policymakers to consider introducing The Daily Mile to improve the health and fitness of schoolchildren around the world. It confirmed that the initiative boosts activity levels in class and improves fitness and body composition.

Murray said:

“The Daily Mile is a great initiative because it’s a really simple step which can have a direct impact on children’s physical and mental well-being. I participated in The Daily Mile with a group of school children and even in that short time, I could see the positive benefits it was having in so many ways – social aspects, the chance for everyone to participate and a bit of fresh air during the day. I hope more schools sign up as I really believe it can make a difference.”

Elaine Wyllie, Founder of The Daily Mile, said:

“It is wonderful that Andy Murray has chosen to support The Daily Mile Foundation. To have Andy on board highlights the positive impact The Daily Mile is having across the UK.  He is a fantastic sporting role model for the children of Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales. We are confident that this will inspire more schools across the UK to sign-up to The Daily Mile and experience the transformational health and well-being benefits that The Daily Mile provides.”

Gregor Smith, Deputy Chief Medical Officer for Scotland said:

“We are very clear that we want Scotland to be the world’s first Daily Mile nation and for physical activity to be a normal part of our children’s lifestyles. Over the past few years we have made real progress in increasing the number of children being physically active. This is driven in part by the increasing popularity of recreational activity, and the Daily Mile is an important part of that. We know that one of the best things you can do for your physical and mental health is to be active, and the beauty of the Daily Mile is that a 15-minute run, jog or walk each day is simple, free and fun to do.”

 Frank Atherton, Chief Medical Officer for Wales, said:

“I’m delighted that Andy Murray has joined The Daily Mile as an ambassador where, as an international sporting star and role model, he will inspire children to improve their health and well-being. It’s an easy and fun way for primary-aged children to run,  or jog for 15 minutes each day in school. The Daily Mile needs no equipment and is an inclusive, simple and free way for children to get their recommended amount of physical activity each day.”

Dr Michael McBride, Chief Medical Officer for Northern Ireland, said:

“It is crucial that we introduce good lifestyle choices, like participating in active play, physical recreation and sport, to our children at an early stage in their development as these will contribute to long term health benefits into adulthood, and in many ways improve their quality of life.

The school setting provides the perfect environment for an initiative like The Daily Mile as all pupils can participate in some way with their classmates and friends. Having an Ambassador like Andy Murray will inspire both children and their friends and families to get involved and I would encourage everyone to join in and take part in this nationwide activity.

His support of this initiative, and the interest it will generate, I hope, will extend far beyond The Daily Mile and do much to nurture healthy lifestyle habits and encourage others to try some physical activity which we know can also help improve or create more positive self-esteem. Perhaps most importantly however I have no doubt that taking part in The Daily Mile will also be a lot of fun.”

ENDS.