MARTIN CHALLENGED 2 SKIP2BFIT

1.27.00pm GMT Tue 26th Feb 2008

MARTIN CHALLENGED 2 SKIP2BFIT

Forget Question Time… Martin Horwood, Member of Parliament for Cheltenham, faced a brand new challenge recently when he was pitted against his peers in a school-style skipping contest. Sainsbury's Active Kids 2008 Campaign teamed up with Skip2bfit, a fitness initiative designed to motivate children to eat healthily and exercise, to discover which MP could record the highest number of skips in 2 minutes, and Martin Horwood MP came in 22nd position with a total of 66 skips.

On the afternoon of Wednesday 6th February, at Portcullis House, MPs from across the Parliamentary parties were also invited to participate in the skipping challenge. Sainsbury's Chief Executive Justin King took part and Skip2bFit skipping ropes were provided ahead of time, so Martin could hone his skills as he prepared to battle it out.

Children from All Faiths School in Rochester, Kent were also on hand to show MPs just how it was done. The winning MP was awarded 10,000 Active Kids vouchers and Sainsbury's has also given Martin Horwood 1,000 vouchers for taking part which he is looking forward to donating to local schools in Cheltenham.

The contest forms part of the launch of this year's Active Kids campaign and the start of Sainsbury's support for Skip2bfit. The Skip2bfit programme is a unique initiative that teaches children about the link between healthy eating, exercise and academic ability. Skipping is an easy to learn, exciting and challenging activity that also requires virtually no capital expense to get started. Schoolchildren are given digital skipping ropes and two minutes to complete as many skips as they can: this encourages self-improvement, motivation and a healthy sense of competition. The results are then used in various parts of the schoolwork such as ICT lessons to create charts and graphs.

Justin King said, 'Both Active Kids and Skip2bfit aim to promote a sense of fun and competition in exercise. We think MPs enjoyed giving skipping a go and that they will encourage schools in their constituencies to get involved too. I certainly enjoyed rolling up my sleeves and giving the competition my best shot!'

Says Kevin Brennan, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Children, Schools and Families, "Skipping gives everyone a chance to get fit - even MPs and ministers. It's a great leveller - develops good skill, coordination and anyone can afford to do it."