Olympic long jumper leaps into action (From The Northern Echo)

Olympic long jumper leaps into action

5:29pm Monday 8th February 2010 in

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AN Olympic long jumper has leapt into action to help celebrate an environmentally friendly school.

Chris Tomlinson called into St Cuthbert's RC primary to present a £5,000 cheque after it won recognition for its environmental activities.

The school picked up the prize after it entered a competition on EDF Energy's Programme for Greener Schools website, The Pod, during last year's Green Britain Day.

And during the visit, the Middlesbrough-born athlete was given a tour of some of the activities the school has already put in place to make themselves greener, including the collection of old batteries for recycling and poster campaigns encouraging staff and pupils to think in a more environmentally-friendly way.

The long-jumper, who competed at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games and hopes to compete at London 2012, said: "It's great to have the opportunity to see first-hand how the youngsters are engaging with the environment and I congratulate them on their achievements."

Headteacher Julia Pearce added: "We are delighted to have been recognised nationally with this prize. The £5,000 will be a welcome boost for us in enhancing our green credentials and helping us on our eco-mission."