PRIMARY school children received a sporty pre-Easter treat when Alton Buckle Local Children’s Partnership took possession, on their behalf, of 41 new balance bikes, generously donated by the Cyclists Touring Club.

The donation was organised by Susan Keywood, the touring club’s cycling development officer for Surrey and Hampshire, who arranged funding through the Local Sustainable Transport Fund.

Ms Keywood explained: “With obesity rates rising, we want to do all we can to encourage children to get on a bike at an early age. It gets them outside in the fresh air, gives them exercise, and will hopefully lead to a love of cycling which lasts all their lives.

“Cycling is good for your health and quality of life, as well as the environment and the economy.”

Alton Buckle was initially approached by the Cyclists Touring Club with the offer of balance bikes for the Bushy Leaze Children and Families Centre but, according to Alton Buckle co-ordinator Jen Hammersley, while delighted with the offer, thinking about the wider impact on the Bushy Leaze network “we asked if the Cyclists Touring Club’s generosity would stretch to the local schools as well, in particular Year R and special education needs children.”

While Ms Keywood went off to “see what she could do”, Alton Buckle contacted 12 infant and primary schools within the Alton network and 10 replied with a big “yes, please!”

In the end, the Cyclists Touring Club provided 41 balance bikes and helmets, worth around £3,000.

“But the real value is to the children of Alton,” said Jen Hammersley.

A balance bike helps the child to learn how to balance and steer with just a few hours’ practice. Unlike normal bikes, it has no pedals, chain or training wheels. The biggest benefit is that the child learns to balance, and not to rely on stabilisers to keep them upright, both when they are moving and stationary. This improves their bilateral co-ordination, being able to use both sides of the body at the same time, with control.

“All of this leads to a higher level of self-confidence in their physical abilities and happy children!” added Ms Hammersley.

The schools that will benefit from the new balance bikes are Alton Infants, St Lawrence Primary and Wootey Infant, which are all in Alton, as well as primary schools in Bentley, Bentworth, Chawton, Holybourne, Medstead and Rowledge and, of course, Alton’s Bushy Leaze Children and Familes Centre.

Speaking as the bikes arrived at Alton Buckle Centre, attached to Wootey Infant School, Ms Keywood said: “I feel privileged to be in a position to arrange this donation. I’m really pleased the funding is being put to such a good use and to see so many people excited by the arrival of these balance bikes, especially all the young children.”

Commenting on the generosity of the the Cyclists Touring Club – a national organisation that has been offering advice and services to cyclists since 1878 – Ella Palmer, headteacher at Wootey Infant School, said: “We are very grateful for their wonderful gift of balance bikes for our school. We know the children will love riding them at playtime, keeping healthy and fit and happy!”