Pupils prepare to hit streets for game that boosts health

The school hosted a special assembly where Iain Mulholland, engagements co-ordinator at Intelligent Health, introduced and explained the concept of the ‘Beat the Street’ game to around 250 pupils.

The free challenge, which runs until Wednesday, April 1, sees East Renfrewshire residents being rewarded with points and prizes for exploring their town or village on foot or by bicycle.

Beat the Street was a big hit last year when it operated in the Barrhead and Newton Mearns areas.

Now the game is taking place in Neilston, Giffnock, Thornliebank, Clarkston, Busby, Eaglesham and Waterfoot, in an effort to encourage people there to get out and about.

Beeping and flashing sensors called Beat Boxes have been placed on lamp-posts around these areas and participants use cards and fobs to track their journey and earn points for themselves and their team.

Iain Mullholland shows youngsters how to track their progress

Andrew Howie, principal teacher at Neilston Primary, said: “The pupils were very excited and had the opportunity to ask lots of questions.

“They were interested in the prizes, how they would go about finding the Beat Boxes and if the game would be operating next year because they really liked the sound of it.

“It’s a wonderful way of getting the children active and the competitive aspect inspires them to get outdoors whether the weather is good or bad.”

Last year, 17 schools and teams in the Barrhead and Newton Mearns areas competed against each other to see who could journey the furthest and win hundreds of pounds worth of prizes.

The game was a runaway success as, within the first few days of its launch, residents had collectively travelled more than the distance to Australia.

It is being delivered by Intelligent Health on behalf of East Renfrewshire Council, with support from Paths for All’s Smarter Choices, Smarter Places programme.

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