7:30am Wednesday 25th November 2009
By Jonathan Portlock
A Weybridge teenager attended a VIP reception at the Houses of Parliament on Wednesday, November 4, to celebrate his participation in the Mind, Exercise, Nutrition... Do it! (Mend) programme.
Scott Charlton, 13, was among 50 children and their parents who attended the reception with health minister Gillian Merron MP and 26 other MPs, after he took part in the Mend programme at the Elmbridge Xcel Leisure Centre in Walton.
The programme aims to get children fitter by covering behaviour change, physical activity and nutrition.
Scott said taking part had helped him transform his lifestyle and he challenged Ms Merron to help ensure other children in Elmbridge and nationwide continue to have access to the course.
He said: “I was thrilled to be chosen to go to Westminster and meet so many important MPs. The day was an amazing experience.
"I really enjoyed meeting other children and swapping stories about how much we had learned about the importance of eating well and being active.
"I feel so much better about myself since going on the Mend programme.”
The Mend programme is open to children aged between seven and 13 and their parents or carers. For further information, call 0800 230 0263 or visit mendcentral.org.
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