One of the UK’s biggest charity partnerships is encouraging women and children in Torbay to get active this half term.

The National Charity Partnership, between Diabetes UK, the British Heart Foundation (BHF) and Tesco, is inviting families to take part in the Active Mums ‘Big Bike Ride’ at Torbay Velopark.

Mums and children can use the extensive range of bikes available at the Velopark on Wednesday 31 May from 10:30am until 2:30pm where they can all ride together and use trailers, seats and balance bikes - all for free.

Deputy Mayor and Executive Lead for Health and Wellbeing, Councillor Derek Mills, said: “I would wholeheartedly recommend that mums and carers take advantage of the Active Mums Big Bike Ride. This event will be fun and can break down isolation and provide an outlet for healthy exercise for mums and their children, improving both physical and mental well-being.”

Families are also encouraged to visit the ‘Pimp My Bike’ station where children can personalise their own bikes using scrap materials, and sign up to the local ‘Go For It’ campaign to receive some great giveaways.

In addition to the Active Mums ‘Big Bike Ride’ on Wednesday 31 May, the ‘My Baby, Bike and Me’ cycling scheme takes place every Monday and Friday at the Torbay Velopark. Active Mums has lots of other activities across the bay, including yoga, ‘SlingSwing’, ‘Fit for Two’, 'Bounce Away’ and ‘Netball Tots’.

Matthew McKee, Prevention Programme Manager for the National Charity Partnership, said: “We all know that being active is good for us, but the demands of being a parent can make it hard for mothers to be as active as they may want to be. These mother and child sessions are a great and easy way to help them get more regular exercise in a way that suits them.

“Type 2 diabetes and heart and circulatory disease affect millions of people, but are largely preventable. We know that being physically active can reduce the likelihood of people developing these conditions, so we hope these programmes like Active Mums will give women and their families in Torbay the opportunity to look after their long-term health.”

The Active Mums programme is funded by the Tesco Charity Partnership and provided as part of Torbay Council’s 'Go For It' health campaign.

For more information about the Active Mums programme and to find out how to get involved, email activemums@torbay.gov.uk

For all editorial enquiries, contact Liz Broad, Marketing and Communications Officer for the National Charity Partnership on 020 3757 7835 or email broade@TescoCharityPartnership.org.uk.