Rotherham schoolchildren take part in baton relay

Schoolchildren are celebrating Rotherham’s status as Children’s Capital of Culture by running across the town this June.

Children will run between schools alongside a team of adults in the Rotherham Schools Baton Relay, that will take in 84 different primary, secondary and specialist provision schools. The route will visit every ward in Rotherham, and is being coordinated by Yorkshire Sport Foundation, Rotherham School Games Organisers, and Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council.

The baton relay is designed to celebrate the Children's Capital of Culture Festival Year in Rotherham which consists of 365 days of activities and events promoting Rotherham's culture, arts, music, heritage and sport, and is used as a tool to promote how children can get active in their local community and what's on offer.

The relay is three days into its nine-day journey, that is spread across the month. It has seen the baton travelling through parks, woodland, playgrounds, sports clubs and local historical landmarks, including the New York Stadium, home of Rotherham United Football Club.

Adam Fuller, Children and Young People Development Manager at Yorkshire Sport Foundation, said: “It has been incredible so far to see nearly every school include their whole school community, cheering on the runners as the baton passes through the town.

“Schools have also run their own fun run and active assemblies in school for all their students with other activities and competitions in place, too.

“After three fantastic days so far, there is a real buzz about the baton relay that we only expect to grow. It’s a brilliant way to involve and engage children not only in physical activity, but in the fact that their hometown is the Children’s Capital of Culture and all the opportunities that come with that.” 

To find out more about the Children's Capital of Culture and all of the activities on offer to celebrate Rotherham please visit: THE Homepage – Children's Capital of Culture