School children in south west Sheffield are set to get a weekly dose of health advice and sporting activities thanks to a new project funded by a local pharmacy.

Totley Pharmacy, which is celebrating its 20^th birthday this year, has teamed up with the Sheffield United Community Foundation to launch the Totley Pharmacy Project.

It will see Sheffield United Community Foundation health specialists run five weeks of practical and educational sessions for Y3 and Y4 pupils at Totley All Saints Primary School, Totley Primary School and Dore Primary School.

The youngsters will take part in two sessions a week – one hour of classroom-based advice on diet, nutrition and healthy lifestyles and one hour of sports such football, dodgeball and handball.

Tajinder Singh, owner of Totley Pharmacy on Baslow Road, said: “Our pharmacy is about more than just dispensing medicine. Over the last 20 years, we’ve developed an important role at the heart of the community and we’re really proud of our innovative work to keep Totley and its surrounding areas healthy.

“We’re excited to be teaming up with Sheffield United Community Foundation to run this project, which will educate children on how to lead healthy lifestyles and make food choices as well as engage them in physical activity and teach them new skills.”

Mark Todd, head of community at the Sheffield United Community Foundation, said: “This is a fantastic new project, which will make a real difference to health and wellbeing of the children.

“Sport is a really motivational tool.By combining classroom sessions with physical activity, we hope the project can encourage and inspire children to think about healthy behaviours and lifestyles.”