Top Good News Stories…

A campaign started on Facebook by a Skelmersdale Mum and her daughter has gained nationwide support!

Lauren Ormesher and her 4-year-old daughter Maggie have launched the #ByeByeBMI campaign on Facebook after receiving a letter from Maggie’s school stating that she was overweight.

Children who are in Reception and Year 6 are having their Body Mass Index (BMI) checked and Lauren feels that the current way of checking a child’s BMI sets a dangerous precedent and encourages eating disorders.

Lauren says: “I received a letter telling me my daughter was overweight. Maggie has many hobbies, eats healthily and exercises by going on walks and playing with friends. The BMI weight checks are inaccurate as they don’t take into account bone or muscle density.”

Lauren feels that putting young children on a diet is not healthy, and children as young as 6 have developed eating disorders.

As part of the campaign, people post a photo of themselves holding up a piece of paper with the #ByeByeBMI message written on it and say what their favourite thing to do is to stay healthy, as well as something they like about themselves.

Speaking about #ByeByeBMI Lauren said: “The support we’ve received so far has been amazing. I feel that we could really make a change where BMI checks are concerned.”

The campaign has gained support from many parts of the UK.

So, what is BMI and what is the solution to the BMI issue?

BMI currently uses your height and weight to measure if you are in a healthy weight range. In young people aged 2-18 years, it also considers age and gender. For adults, the recommended BMI is 18.5-24.9.

As for the solution, it could be that the system needs to be adapted or, instead of BMI checks, regular constructive advice on healthy living for children who may need it.

So, while it is important to have the BMI system, certainly for adults, perhaps there is a debate to be had on how it is utilised when it comes to children. Email us your thoughts hello@aboutthetown.co.uk

If you were a fan of Scalextric, you will love the latest addition to the Concourse Shopping Centre!

Slideways Rc Drift is a team of radio control car enthusiasts based in the old Poundworld on the first floor of the Concourse. Slideways are one of the biggest radio-controlled car venues in the UK! Their new venue boasts two tracks, one for beginners and another for intermediate and above, and visitors can book events such as birthday parties and kids clubs and hire private use of the tracks. Haven’t got a car? No worries – you can also hire cars at the venue.

Before launching at the Concourse, Slideways have successfully run sessions in the Greenhill hub in Old Skelmersdale every Friday.

Users of the venue can also enter competitions, with the team hoping to hold the UK RC Drift Championships in the future!

Moreover, they hope to open an off-road track downstairs in the Concourse in the future where you can hire radio-controlled Land Rover cars, book a special event with a fully functional and firing tank, and team up with friends to battle against others and eliminate the enemy!

Find out more about Slideways Rc Drift at www.slidewaysrcdrift.com

£3 for 15 Mins

£5 for 30 Mins

£8 for 60 Mins