(01.12.09)

OVER 12,000 PUPILS SIGN UP FOR THE LIDL FIT FACTOR!

The Ulster Cancer Foundation (UCF) and Lidl, Northern Ireland’s No. 1 discount retailer, are delighted to announce that over 12,000 pupils across Northern Ireland have signed up for the Lidl Fit Factor competition and will soon begin a new journey to discover the benefits of fitness and nutrition in both their everyday lives and future.

The overall aim of the competition is to help teachers explain the importance of the four key areas essential for healthy development: healthy eating, self expression, physical activity and creativity – thus increasing the pupils chances of becoming healthy adults.  Last year, the inaugural year of the competition, 10,000 children took part so this year’s programme is set to be bigger, better and even more competitive!

During the course of the competition, classes submit a creative project which can include anything from songs, poems or pictures to DVDs and collages as they compete to win a share of the £12,000 prize fund.  A regional winner will be chosen from each county with every winning school receiving £1,000 worth of Podium4Sport vouchers.  All regional winners will be eligible for the top prizes of £3,000, £2,000 and £1,000 in vouchers again. The celebrity judging panel includes Ulster rugby’s Paddy Wallace, Tyrone GAA footballer Joe McMahon and former UTV sports presenter, Claire McCollum.  Their decision will be combined with the results of an online vote to find the next winner of the Lidl Fit Factor.

Speaking about the Lidl Fit Factor, Paddy Wallace said; “I am delighted to have been asked to become a judge for the second year of the Lidl Fit Factor. I think that encouraging children to engage in physical activity and healthy eating is a very positive thing and I am happy to lend my support. I look forward to seeing all the creative projects submitted by the schools by March 1st next year!”  

Joe McMahon added; “Working in schools means I get to see first-hand how a programme like this can benefit the children as well as the school. Having top class sports equipment
in schools for me is essential and I am delighted that schools are given such a great incentive to participate because of the prizes on offer.”

Gerry McElwee, Head of Cancer Prevention, UCF said, “We are delighted to work with Lidl again to bring key healthy lifestyle messages to local children through the second year of the Lidl Fit Factor.  This multifaceted programme highlights the importance of adopting healthy lifestyles and promotes positive self esteem whilst encouraging artistic and sporting endeavours.” 

Gerry concluded, “Research shows that the risk of developing many cancers, such as cancer of the bowel, stomach, mouth, oesophagus and breast, can be reduced significantly by improved nutrition and an active lifestyle.  As a central part of UCF’s Youth Cancer Prevention Strategy, this initiative aims to communicate positive messages to children in a fun way, leading to a healthier lifelong approach to diet and physical activity.”

Lizzie Lumsden from Lidl Northern Ireland GmbH added, “This is the second year of the highly successful partnership between Lidl and UCF and we are delighted that the Lidl Fit Factor competition is even bigger this year.  Having judges of such a high calibre like Claire, Paddy and Joe really adds to the excitement as they are such positive role models for kids.”  

Registration for year 2 of the Lidl Fit Factor has now closed. Schools should submit their projects by March 1st 2010. Updates can be found on www.fitfactor.co.uk.

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