Gist gives high visibility to children’s walking bus schemes
July 2008
Supply chain specialist Gist has lent a helping hand to Walking Bus initiatives in West Berkshire and Kent, providing high-visibility vests for the young passengers on their way to and from school.
The Walking Bus scheme encourages primary school pupils to enjoy some exercise as a healthy alternative to being driven to school.
Gist’s Thatcham and Faversham distribution operations have become involved in their local schemes. The Thatcham site began their involvement early in the scheme’s history, working alongside West Berkshire Council to first identify an appropriate walking bus route and then support its launch. Earlier this year, the Faversham site lent their support to a local walking bus based at Grove Park Community Primary School, Kent.
Grove Park Community School Walking Bus, Kent
One little boy was getting an extra benefit from the walk-to-school workout. Bradley Hindmarsh, eight, suffered a stroke as a baby and doctors have advised mum Mandi to ensure that he gets plenty of daily exercise. Bradley is partially paralysed and wears a splint on his right arm, but that hasn't stopped him hopping on board the bus.
Mrs Hindmarsh said: "He loves the Walking Bus and when he is on it he's just the same as everyone else and has no special treatment, which is really important to him."
It was Bradley's condition which inspired Mandi and fellow Walking Bus co-ordinator Sarah Lane to begin the scheme and they haven't looked back since. Before the official launch, the bus expanded with more pupils joining and it now operates for three, instead of two days a week.
The Grove Park walkers are not deterred come rain or shine. Mrs Hindmarsh said: "Bradley finds it much more fun than travelling to school in the car. If it rains he just puts his wellies on and enjoys it all the same."
Grove Park head teacher Miss Ceranne Litton was also full of praise for the scheme. She said: "The Walking Bus is proving a real success and we are pleased to see it developing in our school to promote a healthier school community and contribute to reducing cars on the roads."
Gist general manager Faversham, Dave Bowden said: “Gist are delighted to be involved in this initiative that encourages the children to get some exercise and in turn reduces the congestion and environmental problems that are associated with the school-run – and best of all it is great to see the children having such good fun!”
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Notes to Editors:
Gist combines leading edge experience and expertise to transform supply chains. With industry-specific understanding, know-how and excellence, Gist's solutions bring end-to-end visibility and implementation, from concept to delivery.
Gist's 5,000 employees operate out of 35 locations, providing a full range of intellectual and asset-based business offerings in the UK and continental Europe.
Gist is the largest importer of flowers into the UK and is the 6th largest contracts logistics company in the country.
Gist's customers (including British Airways, Marks & Spencer, Carlsberg UK, and Dutch Flower Group) operate in a wide range of commercial and industrial sectors, including grocery, electronics and gas.
As part of The Linde Group, with around 50,000 employees working in 100 countries worldwide, Gist also benefits from Linde's global capability, synergy and scale.
