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Free gym classes for under-fives Free gym classes for under-fives
(about 9 hours later)
Plans to provide free gym memberships to thousands of children under the age of five to halt rising obesity levels have been announced in Merseyside.Plans to provide free gym memberships to thousands of children under the age of five to halt rising obesity levels have been announced in Merseyside.
Activities for babies and toddlers, including dancing and basic ball exercises, will be offered at fitness centres run by Liverpool City Council.Activities for babies and toddlers, including dancing and basic ball exercises, will be offered at fitness centres run by Liverpool City Council.
The council believes Liverpool is the first city in the UK to offer such a wide ranging programme.The council believes Liverpool is the first city in the UK to offer such a wide ranging programme.
About 65,000 children will benefit from the scheme, the council said.About 65,000 children will benefit from the scheme, the council said.
It said it took the decision following research which found half of 11-year-old boys and 40% of 11-year-old girls in Liverpool were overweight.It said it took the decision following research which found half of 11-year-old boys and 40% of 11-year-old girls in Liverpool were overweight.
Nowhere else in the UK is delivering a health and fitness programme on this scale and, in the build up to Britain hosting the next Olympics, it would be a triumph if we could provide every child in the country with free access to their local leisure centre Warren Bradley, Liverpool City Council leader In the build up to Britain hosting the next Olympics, it would be a triumph if we could provide every child in the country with free access to their local leisure centre Warren Bradley, Liverpool City Council leader
The study also found that one in 20 of Liverpool's children was clinically obese and one in three did not do enough exercise.The study also found that one in 20 of Liverpool's children was clinically obese and one in three did not do enough exercise.
In addition to the under-fives programme, called Futures, the council said about 1,600 low-income families would also be given free Lifestyles membership so that older children and parents could make use of the fitness centres.In addition to the under-fives programme, called Futures, the council said about 1,600 low-income families would also be given free Lifestyles membership so that older children and parents could make use of the fitness centres.
Youngsters aged five to 16 already get free Lifestyles membership as do the over 60s.Youngsters aged five to 16 already get free Lifestyles membership as do the over 60s.
Council leader Warren Bradley said: "As a nation I believe it is our primary duty to do all we can to give our children the healthiest possible start in life and in Liverpool we are exploring every possible avenue.Council leader Warren Bradley said: "As a nation I believe it is our primary duty to do all we can to give our children the healthiest possible start in life and in Liverpool we are exploring every possible avenue.
"Nowhere else in the UK is delivering a health and fitness programme on this scale and, in the build up to Britain hosting the next Olympics, it would be a triumph if we could provide every child in the country with free access to their local leisure centre."Nowhere else in the UK is delivering a health and fitness programme on this scale and, in the build up to Britain hosting the next Olympics, it would be a triumph if we could provide every child in the country with free access to their local leisure centre.
"If Liverpool can do it so can other towns and cities.""If Liverpool can do it so can other towns and cities."
Underpinning the drive will be a 13-strong team of youth and community coaches who will each provide up to 30 hours of free classes a week.Underpinning the drive will be a 13-strong team of youth and community coaches who will each provide up to 30 hours of free classes a week.
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Liz Lamb from the Futures programme explains how the scheme works