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Obese kids need special games

1/ 2/2007

"NOT everyone's kids can do football and cricket," said our campaign mum.

Mum of two Sandra Laidler, 44, who is trying to lose weight as part of our campaign, said she was surprised at how much information on exercising and healthy living there is in Ashton.

But she said she was very disappointed at how little there is for her youngest son Ben to do - even though the council has just launched an Active Ashton programme to get people fit.

Sandra, 44, of Furness Avenue, Ashton, said: "I rang up about a fitbods exercise session for kids but it was only a one-off. Everything else on the programme for January was either football or cricket - which Ben struggles to do."

But Sandra said if the council was really serious about helping children lose weight it should put on some special exercises that larger children can do.

A council spokesperson for Active Ashton said: "Our multi-sports session for children aged seven to 11 is a fun session, which isn't sports specific and suitable for all levels of fitness.

"We're still in the early stages of Active Ashton. Lots more activities are planned for the coming months."