MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
29 February 2008
AMI Is Creating Miles Of Smiles By Supporting Feet First Walk To School Week 2008
New Zealand children will literally have a smile in their step thanks to the involvement of AMI Insurance in Feet First
Walk to School Week (March 3-7).
As part of its commitment to local communities, AMI is one of three Gold Sponsors of the week that promotes the benefits
of walking to school regularly.
To help get children enthused about walking to school AMI has created 6,000 pairs of socks with cute smiley face logos
which will be distributed nationwide during the week. AMI’s involvement also assists by promoting the initiative
nationwide and providing sports prizes for the schools involved. The company’s support has also assisted with balloons
and t-shirts to promote the event and high visibility vests worn by the walking school bus coordinators.
“Walking to school helps makes kids and communities healthier. Kids feel fitter and one less car on the road in the
morning means less carbon emissions. AMI is proud to be involved in this initiative,” says Matthew Cody, Executive
Manager Marketing.
Feet First Walk to School Week is an annual event held in early March to promote the benefits of regularly walking to
and from school. Students and adults are also encouraged to continue to walk to school on an ongoing basis.
Feet First Walk to School Week has three components:
• Walk to School Day (Wednesday 5 March 2008)
• Walk to School Week (Monday March 3 to Friday March 7, 2008)
• Walking Wednesdays (Wednesday March 5 to Wednesday April 2, 2008)
Participating schools receive resources including flyers, posters, stickers and progress cards and ideas for classroom
activities. Each school will have the chance to win great prizes. A highlight of the week will be Walk to School Day on
Wednesday 5 March with special events planned throughout the country.
AMI is also a sponsor of walking school buses in Auckland, Tauranga, Wellington, Hamilton, Gisborne, Nelson and
Matamata.
ENDS