All kids in County Durham will have the chance to tuck into nutritious healthy snacks this half-term – and, best of all, they’ll be totally free.
Leisure centres and swimming pools across County Durham will be offering youngsters treats ranging from raisins and popcorn to fresh fruit between Monday 22nd October and Sunday October 28th.
The half-term scheme takes its inspiration from a similar programme run during the summer holidays. The six-week summer programme saw more than 76,800 free snacks distributed to County Durham’s children.
As the scheme proved popular with parents, kids and the wider community – and seemed to raise people’s interest in healthy eating – Durham County Council have decided to do something similar this half-term.
The council’s cabinet member for social inclusion, Cllr Jane Brown, said, “The response we received to the summer snacks initiative was very encouraging.”
“We are keen to reach out to more children over the half-term holidays as we know this is a time when families can find themselves under increased financial pressure.”
Durham County Council’s cabinet member for children and young people’s services, Cllr Olwyn Gunn, said, “We are delighted to offer free snacks at our leisure centres again this half-term.”
“It can be a struggle to get youngsters to eat their five-a-day and this is our way of helping families ensure children get the vitamins and energy they need when they are out and about.”
Consett Leisure Centre and the Luisa Centre in Stanley will be taking part in the scheme.
The other County Durham leisure centres that will be involved are Woodhouse Close in Bishop Auckland, Freeman’s Quay in Durham City, Spennymoor, Newton Aycliffe, Chester-le-Street, Teesdale, and Peterlee.
All of the above leisure centres have swimming pools and have been selected as they attract the most visits from children and families.
Snacks will be on offer at the centres throughout the half-term. For the leisure centres’ opening hours, please go to www.durham.gov.uk/leisurecentres.
