Watergrasshill national school were among the regional winning schools of the Lidl Fit Factor competition who descended on Dublin Zoo for the grand finale prize giving ceremony on Thursday last.

The finale marked the nail-biting end to the national primary school competition aimed at 3rd and 4th classes to promote healthy eating and physical activity in a programme created by Lidl and it's dedicated charity partner, the Irish Heart Foundation.

Tens of thousands of pupils from schools across Ireland took part in the Lidl Fit Factor programme which made Watergrasshill National School's win all the sweeter! Their entry was said to have amazed the celebrity judging panel of Kevin McLaughlin (Ireland and Leinster rugby), Derval O'Rourke (Irish Sprint Hurdles athlete), Michael Conlan (fulltime amateur boxer and Olympic bronze medalist) and Janis Morrissey (Irish Heart Foundation dietitian).

As well as charming the judges, the inventive elements of Watergrasshill's submission evidently impressed those who case their vote online through the Lidl Fit Factor website too. Judging was based on a combination of online votes and the decision of the judging panel.

Schools were asked to submit creative projects expressing what they had learned during the course of the two-week long educational and fun programme. Judge Derval O'Rourke said it was incredible to see the huge effort made by all the schools in the competition.

The Irish Heart Foundation's Maureen Mulvihill pointed out "Many lifelong habits are formed during a child's early years. Learning healthy lifestyle messages such as eating plenty of fruit and vegetables and less high fat and high sugar foods and drinks and encouraging physical activity will help children adopt positive attitudes and behaviours."

The Lidl Fit Factor helps deliver those key messages to schools in a fun and engaging way, she said.

Watergrasshill NS won a prize of €6,000 worth of sports equipment vouchers and Lidl vouchers for their school. School secretary Noreen O'Callaghan said the children had a great day at the Zoo and Lidl and the Irish Heart Foundation "couldn't have done enough for us."

She extended sincere thanks to Emmet in Woodlands for the two huge signs he supplied, to Dan Linehan for being the "driving force - the Simon Cowell" of WGH's Fit Factor campaign! She also thanked this newspaper for its coverage and all "who cajoled and begged for votes " including Noreen's fellow clubs and their officers.

"Apparently other schools didn't come near us with the votes so WOW and well done and thanks again," she said this week. "I'll definitely be putting a shout in for a few sliotars and hurls," said a delighted Noreen, who's PRO of Watergrasshill GAA Club.

blog comments powered by Disqus