Free half-term snacks for children at County Durham leisure centres

Children can tuck into nutritious free snacks in County Durham this half-term.

Durham County Council is offering tasty treats such as fresh fruit, raisins and popcorn to youngsters at all of its leisure centres with swimming pools this week until Sunday (October 28).

The initiative is an extension of a successful scheme run during the summer holidays, which saw more than 76,800 free snacks distributed to children over a six-week period.

It attracted many positive comments from parents, children and the wider community, with people praising the scheme for sparking conversations about healthy eating.

Cllr Jane Brown, Cabinet member for social inclusion, said: “The response we received to the summer snacks initiative was very encouraging. We are keen to reach out to more children over the half-term holidays, as we know this is a time when families can find themselves under increased financial pressure.”

Cllr Olwyn Gunn, Cabinet member for children and young people’s services, said: “We are delighted to offer free healthy snacks at our leisure centres again this half-term.

“It can be a struggle to get youngsters to eat their five-a-day and this is our way of helping families ensure children get the vitamins and energy they need when they are out and about.”

Newton Aycliffe Leisure Centre is one of several centres around the county taking part in the initiative.