National fitness campaign launched at Hackney primary school

An initiative to launch a fitter and healthier nation took place at a school in Hackney on Thursday.

High-profile figures including The Prime Minister’s Olympic and Paralympic legacy ambassador Lord Sebastian Coe launched the Moving More, Living More government campaign, which promotes physical activity, at Daubeney Primary School in Daubeney Road, Clapton.

The school has previously been dubbed “the school that can’t swim” because it has one of the lowest rates of children who can swim in the country.

It has recently benefited from a temporary pool - funded by the Greater London Authority, the Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) and British Gas - in their playground. The pool is also open to the wider community after school.

Lord Coe said: “The legacy from the 2012 Games is a long-term project to deliver lasting change. But this initiative has the biggest potential impact for our nation’s health.

“A joined up approach to challenging inactivity and encouraging physical activity is key. Moving More, Living More will bring together government, local government, business and above all the individuals and community groups - who know how to get people moving.”

Hackney has among the lowest numbers of children in the country able to swim.