Jolly giant tests health of school
A FIVE-time former Mr Universe visited Escomb this week to see two initiatives helping residents get healthy.
Eddie Ellwood, 46, who was Mr Universe from 1997 to 2001, visited the Wellness on Wheels (Wow) mobile gym before having a free school dinner at the village primary school.
The Wow trailer, which has been used by more than 5,000 people it was started three years ago by Wear Valley District Council, will spend 10 weeks in Escomb offering free sessions for all residents.
It has already attracted 175 members from the village and Mr Ellwood, who has his own gym in Hartlepool, said it would benefit businesses as well as people’s health.
He said: “I was really impressed by the gym, from the outside it didn’t look much but inside it’s well-equipped, bright and refreshing. The staff were very good and the atmosphere is just right. It’s a great idea and I would like to see it across the whole county
“There will be lots of really positive knock on effects.
People can start for free and see the benefits of going to the gym. Then, as they get more serious and the trailer moves on they can join a paying gym benefitting that business.”
Meanwhile, since free school dinners started in September as part of £32m two-year pilot, 90 per cent of pupils at Escomb now eat a school meal compared to about 50 per cent at the end of last term.
Countywide, 31,000 of the 35,000 pupils currently at primary school now have a school meal compared to 15,000 before. Bob Young, county councillor for environment and leisure praised his cabinet colleague for children Claire Vasey for pushing ahead with the plans despite strong scepticism.
He said: “There were a lot of people who thought it would be a waste of money, that children wouldn’t have a school meal even if it was free but Claire knew it would work and she has been proved right. In the first month the number having school meals has more than doubled, obviously our goal is 100 per cent but so far it is proving a success.
Hopefully the Government will look at this and, once the two-year pilot is over, will fund it for the whole country.
“Healthy meals and the Wow gym all help us achieve one of our top priorities which is improving health and well being.”
Mr Ellwood also praised the school dinners. He said: “It is subconsciously teaching the kids about healthy eating because they’ll feel how good this food makes them feel and then, if they go onto junk food, they’ll see the difference. It seems making things free is a big incentive for people and I hope people keep up the good work.”