Burnley healthy eating project runs out of cash
9:49am Tuesday 8th November 2011 in Leisure
HEALTHY EATING The BUFFALO project was popular with children
AN award-winning project in Burnley which aimed to get more children exercising and eating healthily has run out of cash.
Burnley Council’s BUFFALO (Burnley Food and Fitness Aimed at Lowering Obesity) scheme has now stopped running but the council has not given up hope of restarting it if funding can be secured.
Council chiefs failed in a bid for cash from the Big Lottery Fund, but they are now set to apply for £250,000 from the Social Action Fund, a pot of money created by the Government as part of its Big Society vision.
Coun Jeff Sumner, executive member for leisure and culture, said: “BUFFALO was an exciting and innovative project that was extremely popular with children, parents and schools.
“Although it had to come to an end because of lack of funding it can be re-started quickly and start to make a difference, just like it did before, within a few months of any grant application being successful.
“The council is doing what it can to find other sources of funding so that BUFFALO can run again.”
BUFFALO aims to tackle childhood obesity by getting the rest of the family involved in activities.
The project works through local primary schools and includes healthy eating and cookery, physical activity and sport, gardening and allotments and eco-friendly schemes.
If successful the grant will provide two job opportunities and the resources to work in eight primary schools and deliver health improvement initiatives in local community venues.
Coun Sumner added: “Competition for Social Action Fund money is likely to be tough but it’s worth making an application considering the benefits to the whole community that BUFFALO brings.”
A decision on applications is expected at the end of this month.
Comments(5)
Noiticer
says...
11:26am Tue 8 Nov 11
Basically, many people are too lazy to change their ways and think it doesn't matter. Likewise the food industry has much to answer for and is aided and abetted by the present government which isn't prepared to legislate to bring in stricter controls on food content.
midas
says...
11:58am Tue 8 Nov 11
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However, the purpose of this project was to reinforce the education not force people It was to help those families that perhaps aren't as intelligent and capable as yours. People who think healthy eating is to expensive or difficult. To educate children who perhaps aren't exposed to fresh fruit and vegetables at home, those that obviously don't have the good influence at home that your children do.
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Its not for the average person but there is a reason that Burnley is amongst thw worst area for many of the "healthy living" indicators and thats why we have obesity and a low life expectancy.
DaveBurnley
says...
8:29am Wed 9 Nov 11
I'm sure that MacDonalds, KFC and Burger King would be happy to help with some complementary meals.
akon
says...
7:49pm Wed 9 Nov 11
Izanears says...
11:17am Tue 8 Nov 11