Political Editor - “Skip2bfit” challenge

SALTER IS TOP TEN SKIPPER

Reading West MP Martin Salter has taken part in a skipping challenge at the House of Commons in aid of the Sainsbury’s Active Kids 2008 Campaign. The “Skip2bfit” challenge required MPs to do as many skips as possible in two minutes with a specially provided skipping rope with built-in digital counter. The reward for taking part was 1,000 Active Kids vouchers to be distributed amongst schools in Mr Salter’s constituency of Reading West. Mr Salter completed 131 skips in his two minutes, putting him in the top ten of around 30 MPs who took part. Mr Salter’s effort was, however, well below the new record set by Monmouth Conservative MP David T.C. Davies, who is also an amateur boxer.

Speaking after the challenge Martin Salter said:

“This challenge was an excellent idea to raise awareness of the Active Kids campaign against childhood obesity and I’m glad that so many of my fellow MPs joined me in the contest. Last year 233 million Active Kids vouchers were exchanged by schools, guide and scout groups for £18 million worth of new sports equipment and also experiences like tickets to live sporting events. I am looking forward to distributing my vouchers in Reading schools, where they will be put to very good use.”

On the subject of the skipping the Reading West MP admitted:
“It was great fun, but it’s much harder than it looks, particularly if you are an overweight and only partially fit man in his fifties with no previous skipping experience. However, I will be practicing hard for next year’s challenge! ”

Martin Salter MP: 0797 6946 033
For more information on the Active Kids 2008 Campaign www.sainsburys.co.uk/activekids