A CHARITY set up by former Scotswoman of the Year finalist Elaine Wyllie is calling on Glasgow schools to take part in its first national event.

The Daily Mile Foundation has teamed up with Scotland’s most decorated track and field athlete Eilidh Doyle to host the schools challenge on June 18. Already, more than 40 per cent of schools across the country have signed up.

The Daily Mile encourages children to run, jog, wheel or walk for 15 minutes every day.

Elaine Wyllie, founder of the ‘Daily Mile’ project

Elaine Wyllie, founder of the ‘Daily Mile’ project

Elaine, a 2019 finalist in Glasgow Times SWOTY, came up with the idea when she was a teacher in Stirling eight years ago. It now has three million children running a daily mile across 12,000 schools in 80 countries.

Olympic medallist Eilidh said: “I’m delighted to be the Ambassador for The Daily Mile in Scotland and support this project as I think it is a really positive initiative to get young people more active. As a former teacher I approve.

Eilidh Doyle. Pic: Jim Payne

Eilidh Doyle. Pic: Jim Payne

“I feel passionately that youngsters should be given the opportunity to be active and that hopefully starts out at primary school. Exercising with friends is so much fun and being active from a young age has many benefits.”

The hope is to capture the camaraderie that children have missed while schools have been closed, providing young people with the opportunity to be active and have fun with their friends.

READ MORE: Meet the 2019 finalists for Scotswoman of the Year

Elaine Wyllie, Founder of The Daily Mile says, “Getting our children active is more important than ever, and it is very encouraging to see so many schools already signed up to The Daily Mile in Scotland. The past year has been challenging for everyone and we want to get that sense of community and fun back in our schools.”

Schools can sign up via the Daily Mile Scotland website.