One Stop supports Living Streets’ Walk to School Week with the help of Elmer the Patchwork Elephant!

One Stop has joined forces with UK charity Living Streets and Andersen Press, publisher of the Elmer books by David McKee, to launch a limited-edition version of Elmer’s Walk – all facilitated by Louis Kennedy, the agency behind Partnerships with Purpose.

The book is now on sale exclusively in all participating One Stop stores and can be purchased for just £3, with proceeds going to help Living Streets’ work for safer streets for people of all ages.

The launch comes during Walk to School Week (20-24 May 2024) – organised by the charity, as part of their National Walking Month campaign each May.

Jack Taylor, Community & Partnerships Manager at One Stop said:

“We’re proud to be supporting Living Streets’ Walk to School Week campaign – and with every penny from the sale of Elmer’s Walk book going to the charity, we hope to see more communities walking to school and learning about the benefits of doing so!”

Families are encouraged to walk, wheel, cycle, scoot or ‘Park and Stride’ for the whole week to see the big differences that come from small steps, from healthier and happier children to fewer cars outside the school gates.

Tracey Richardson, Director of Licensing and Partnerships, Louis Kennedy said:

“We have worked for many years with Living Streets on their successful walk to school initiative. Teaming them up with Andersen Press for Elmer’s 35th anniversary – and One Stop stores, which sit at the heart of communities – is the perfect partnership.”

Paul Black, PR and Brand Director, Andersen Press said:

“We are delighted to be working with Living Streets to help children start their school life off on the right foot. We hope this special version of Elmer’s Walk will inspire families across the country to walk more, enjoying the chance to get fresh air and meet new friends just like Elmer does on his walk, whilst raising lots of funds for the charity.”

New research commissioned by Living Streets has found that over a third of parents (37%) of pre-school children say they don’t have enough time to go for a daily walk. Better mental health and wellbeing (46%) and quality time with family (17%) were given as reasons they go for a walk.

Katherine Holcroft leads on Living Streets’ walk to school programme, she said:

“Life with young children is hectic and finding time to exercise is difficult. Walking to school is an easy way for us to fit more activity into our daily lives. Walk to School Week is the perfect opportunity to swap sitting in traffic for creating lifelong happy memories of the walk to school.”