29,000 Surrey pupils enjoy the Golden Boot Challenge

More than 29,000 pupils from 146 Surrey schools competed in Surrey County Council’s 2004 Golden Boot Challenge this summer. 81 per cent of pupils who took part in the Challenge chose green methods of travel to school including walking, scooting, cycling, car share - and even pony power.

The annual challenge is a Way 2 Go event and has been set up by Surrey County Council as part of its Safe Routes to Schools programme. It is aimed at primary school children who compete in an inter-class competition designed to make them more aware of healthier and greener choices in the way they travel to school. It also encourages schools to become more involved in school travel planning. Pupils score points when they use alternatives to the car and the class with the most points wins the coveted Golden Boot trophy.

"The children were so enthusiastic about the Golden Boot Challenge and the response of parents was so positive that we have decided to declare every Friday walk-to-school day," says Diane Moffett, headteacher at Lightwater Primary School.

David Sharpington, Surrey’s school travel policy co-ordinator said: "The children really entered into the spirit of the campaign and encouraged their parents to leave the car at home. They’ve come up with some wacky and wonderful ways of travelling to school and have had heaps of fun too."

Surrey County Council’s Golden Boot Challenge has run as a countywide inter-class competition for two years. In 2003 around 22,580 pupils participated. The 2005 Golden Boot Challenge will take place next April and May.

For further information contact Diana Christie, communications officer, Safe Routes to Schools, 020 8541 7910, diana.christie@surreycc.gov.uk.