Medikidz sponsorship

Chartwells is supporting a new drive to curb obesity in children in an innovative tie-up with superheroes, ?Medikidz?.

The ?Medikidz? appear in a new, eye-catching, graphic novel aimed at encouraging young people to better understand what they can do to tackle obesity.  The graphic novels will be winging its way into every primary and secondary school in the UK this autumn, thanks to our sponsorship.

Medikidz were the brainwave of two paediatricians who recognized that there was very little information available about health matters which spoke to young people in their language.

Their discussions led to the creation of a series of graphic novels ? drawn and designed by artist John Taddeo who has worked on the Marvell comics. Aimed at children in the 10-15 year age group, each will focus on a chronic health condition and include the ?Medikidz? ? all larger than life, space dwelling, young characters who live on Mediland ? a planet shaped just like the human body.

With around 40 titles already planned, the obesity book is one of 10 to be published this autumn and the first to be winging its way into schools via the Teachers Post publication, thanks to our sponsorship, and the support of Royal Mail education distribution services.  Other titles in the series will include topics such as asthma, epilepsy, diabetes, cancers (including one aimed at supporting young people whose mothers have breast cancer), and will be made available through hospitals and other support centres.

The Medikidz team staged a press launch of their international children?s charity, new website and initial titles in mid September, with support from Archbishop Desmond Tutu, who is particularly interested in the team?s work, through their charitable arm, to assist children in developing countries with money for medical education and supplies.

Tony Byrne, business director for Chartwells, is delighted to support the campaign. He said: ?Promoting wellness and good nutrition is a key component of our overall corporate responsibility strategy and underpins our Chartwells? ethos, with its focus on encouraging young people to think about what they eat, learn about healthy eating and new foods and understand the impact that food, the food industry and our own management of food and waste can have on the wider environment.  ?Our teams spend many hours encouraging a healthy, balanced approach to food and it was great to see this reflected in the new Medikidz graphic novel which, like many of our own educational activities, has fun whilst promoting a serious message.?

Chartwells has a limited number of ?Medikidz Explain Overweight? graphic novels available.

If you would like a copy please email Allison Neville at allison.neville@compass-group.co.uk