Royal Watch News

Prince William urges outdoor play for kids

Jul 23, 2012, 12:01 GMT

Prince William

Britain's Prince William wants to stop children being 'cooped up inside' all day.

The prince is backing a campaign to preserve green spaces as part of his role as patron of The Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge run by the charity Fields In Trust, and urged people to follow his lead or risk kids missing out on outdoor play.

William told the Mail on Sunday newspaper: 'We take it for granted that children like to run and to play games and most people agree that leaving children to be cooped up inside all day is bad for them.

'If we are serious about that, then we must be serious about preserving the fields and parks on which children can play.

'If parks and fields continue to disappear at the rate at which they have done for the past few decades, many communities will have nowhere for their young people to enjoy.

'Some of my happiest memories as a child were those times I spent outside playing games, and I think that is true for most people.

'Playing a game with a brother, sister or a friend improves confidence and teamwork, it helps children stay healthy and test their physical limits and it's also great fun.'

The Queen Elizabeth II's Fields Challenge aims to safeguard 2,012 green spaces by the end of 2012 as part of a Diamond Jubilee gift to the monarch, and so far more than 1,300 groups and individuals have nominated land - ranging from sports grounds and recreation areas to an orchard, stretch of coastal path, woodland, cycle tracks and a wildflower meadow - for royal recognition.

William hopes the nominations will keep coming in.

He said: 'This challenge will leave a legacy of green spaces up and down the country for generations to come. I urge people to get behind the QE2 Challenge as a very fitting tribute to the Diamond Jubilee and 2012.'