Birmingham’s Health for Life in secondary schools programme has celebrated the opening of an outside gym with Steve McCabe, MP for Selly Oak.

Funded by the Mondelēz International Foundation and delivered by The Health Education Service and The Conservation Volunteers (TCV), the programme has inspired the pupils to get active, grow their own fruit and learn about healthy eating.

Mr McCabe said: “It was great to visit Selly Oak Trust School and see the latest developments and meet the pupils benefiting from the investment. Health for Life is a fantastic initiative and it is good to see how the programme is inspiring pupils towards a healthier future. I completely support a programme which is making such a difference to those living in South Birmingham.”

Volunteers from Mondelēz International also visited the secondary school earlier this year and worked to create the school’s vision of a ‘Heritage Fruit Orchard’ by planting fruit trees and placing picnic benches for pupils to enjoy.

Kelly Farrell, community affairs manager at Mondeléz International said: “We’re so pleased that Selly Oak Trust School got involved in the Health for Life programme and that our volunteers supported them earlier in the year. They have really integrated the programme into their daily life and the pupils were thrilled with the activities happening across the school.”

James Hawkins, Creative Curriculum Leader at Selly Oak Trust School, added: “We’re thrilled to have officially launched our outside gym and see pupils enjoying it right throughout the school day and beyond. Many of our teachers are also making the most of it too and having meetings whilst on the cross trainers!”