Club inspires kids to cut back on fizzy pop

Using the power of their club’s badge, community coaches will encourage school children to ‘Give Up Loving Pop’ and to drink more water and low-fat milk.

While many people are aware that excess consumption of sugar, particularly sugary drinks, can lead to tooth decay, fewer are aware of the link between high-sugar drinks and weight gain.

To help tackle this, specially trained community coaches will deliver classroom-based games and physical activities to Year 5 children that will teach them why it is important to look after their teeth and gums, how to read and interpret food labels on bottles or cans of drinks, and why hydration is important for their education and playing sports.

Children and young people will also be challenged to cut right back on sugary drinks and to Give Up Loving Pop for 21 days as part of the GULP Lancashire project.

Children will also receive a reusable water bottle and a postcard containing information on sugary drinks to take home to their parents.

Rob Larcombe, sports development officer for health and wellbeing at Fleetwood Town Community Trust, said: “Health and wellbeing is high on our agenda.Give Up Loving Pop is an exciting project run with Healthy Stadia that aims to reduce sugar intake in children through reducing the amount of unhealthy drinks they consume.

“High sugar intake is directly related to poor health.

“We are therefore extremely keen supporters of this project.”