Cheltenham clean-air campaign launches
No Child Left Behind's encouraging people to think about the difference they can make to pollution
A project running all this month in Cheltenham's aiming to raise awareness of the effect on young people of air pollution.
No Child Left Behind will encourage people to try out active travel (walking, cycling) instead of the car and discourage people from things like idling in their vehicle outside schools.
Many schools are involved in the month long event - which includes Clean Air Day on June the 20th.
Youngsters at The Catholic School of St Gregory the Great and High School Leckhampton will will monitor air quality at their campus using Monty and Molly, the council’s Zephyr monitors which give air quality readings every quarter hour.
Councillor Victoria Atherstone, cabinet member for safety and communities, said: "Air quality is something that we cannot see but impacts everyone - and we all have a duty to do everything we can to protect our young people and those most vulnerable.
"We’re pleased to be working with NCLB to raise awareness throughout June. Together in our own communities, we can all take action to improve air quality in Cheltenham and we hope that our young people and families will have fun trying out the simple tips we’ll be sharing.
"Driving less and walking and cycling more means we are all likely to be fitter and healthier as well as making a positive difference to the quality of our air."
Tara Kirkham, executive assistant with Infrastar a key member of the NCLB network, said: "Infrastar is passionate about making our local community a better place and we are proud to support No Child Left Behind’s Clean Air Campaign. Clean air is everyone’s responsibility, and we can each play our part in helping reduce air pollution in Gloucestershire. Why not join us and do your bit to help?"