vision
8
www.northeastvision.co.uk
north east
H2O gang help cascade
message about water
T
HOUSANDS of children are tapping into
the healthy living message, thanks to a
team of superheroes � and
Northumbrian Water.
The company's H2O gang are encouraging
youngsters across the region to eat well, exercise
more and drink plenty of water as part of the
national Change4Life campaign.
The colourful characters were originally
launched by the company two years ago to
encourage young people to drink more water and
reaffirm the message that water is an essential
ingredient for a healthy life.
But having now teamed up with NHS North
East, the superheroes are championing a broader
health message � and delivering it to an even
wider audience.
Thirty thousand copies of the H2O Gang's latest
comic have been distributed to the region's
primary schools, doctors' waiting rooms and
children's hospital wards to help raise health
awareness.
In the new adventure, the superheroes' arch
enemy, Dr Dry, has an evil plan to take over the
world by making children unhealthy and inactive
with junk food, fizzy drinks and video games.
Luckily, H2O gang leader Karl realises what is
happening and saves the day, by signing the rest
of the gang up to the Change4Life programme.
And the cartoon characters' capers � their sixth
instalment � are now sending out the healthy
challenge message to a global online audience.
The latest story has been brought to life on
ITV's Signed Stories website
www.signedstories.com, which features children's
stories with sign language and subtitles.
The site was launched in 2008 to give all the
family, both deaf and hearing, the opportunity to
share the enjoyment of storytelling and the H20
gang is the first comic book to feature on the site.
Louise Hunter, head of corporate responsibility
at Northumbrian Water, said: "Northumbrian
Water developed the H2O gang comic series to
help our younger customers understand how
important water is for life, health and the
environment in a fun, creative and appealing way.
"We're thrilled that modern technology has
allowed us to develop the latest comic, the sixth
praised the project for getting a serious health
message across to children in a fun, creative and
appealing way.
Professor Stephen Singleton, regional director
of public health, said: "Obesity levels in the North
East tend to be higher than the rest of England.
"Sadly, if children have a poor diet and don't
exercise enough, they are at higher risk of
developing all sorts of diseases in later life,
including heart problems, various cancers and
diabetes.
"Promoting healthy choices as early as possible
in a child's development is crucial if we are to
achieve our vision to become the healthiest place
in England.
"We need to find creative ways of doing this
and this is an example of how we can work to
do that."
Louise now hopes the superheroes' message
will reach even more young people.
"It's the first time as a company we've done
anything like this � something really different and
creative.
"Because the comic will go to every primary
school, every Surestart centre and also be
distributed through local Primary Health Care
Trusts, many more people are able to read it and
having it online is a great step forward.
"We're continuing to develop the project. It's
fun, kids love it but at the same time it's
delivering a really important message."
in the series, into a visual adventure that both
deaf and hearing youngsters can enjoy."
The H2O Gang have also been out and about in
the region, delivering the healthy living message
to youngsters in schools.
"We wanted to get across key messages, such as
how important it is to drink water, take regular
exercise and eat five portions of fruit and
vegetables a day, but in a different way.
"Working with the strategic health authority
we've been able to bring all those messages
together and use the characters to get that across
in a fun way.
"Now having the story on the
Signed Stories website means
we can reach an even wider
audience."
Louise said feedback from
youngsters about the campaign
had already been positive.
"There's a real mix in the
knowledge youngsters have,"
she said.
"A lot of children have taken
on board the message of
swapping fizzy drinks for
water.
"And to have a healthy life
they need to stay hydrated with
water the best way to do that."
Health bosses have also
FLUID
FRIENDS
Above, the H2O
Gang,
Change4Life
characters, pupils
and storyteller
Jim Grant at
Rosebrook
Primary School,
Stockton. Bottom
left, the group
visit St Benet's RC
Primary,
Sunderland with
storyteller Pam
Lovell.
NORTHUMBRIAN WATER

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