Children in the Canterbury district who have embraced the health and environmental benefits of walking to school have been rewarded for their efforts.
More than 180 primary schools in Kent and Medway take part in Wow and Walking Bug schemes and on Challenge Day the classes with the highest number of walkers are named winners and receive trophies and prize packages.
Pupils from Swalecliffe Community Primary School were the Canterbury champions and were invited to the Powell Cotton Museum for a presentation event.
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| | Challenge Day winners from Swalecliffe Community Primary School |
Children from the winning 2L class got the chance to meet the Walking Bug and received their award along with free child tickets for The Powell Cotton Museum and Leeds Castle.
Six-year-old Alfred Duggan said: “I walk to school everyday with my brother and really enjoy it. Walking is fun.”
Elli Mae Copley Marshall, also 6, added: “I really enjoy walking to school because I can chat to all of my friends as I walk. I feel healthy when I walk.”
Music co-ordinator Sarah Luton said: “The whole school has thoroughly risen to the challenge of the walking bug. It is very exciting receiving awards and weekly stickers.
“WOW is a great way of getting everybody fit and active”.
Malcolm Harman, curator of The Powell Cotton Museum and Gardens said: “It is good to support local schools and we are proud to sponsor the WOW and Walking Bug walk to school initiatives.”
Jackie Chambers from the KM Walk to School team said: "The walk to school challenge day winners were thrilled with their prizes and class trophy.”
WOW and Walking Bug encourage children to walk to school with their family and friends.
Each child has their own tally card and collects stickers when they walk.
As well as the KM Group, WOW and Walking Bug, which are KCC- led initiatives, are sponsored by Bel UK (Mini Babybel) Volker Highways, Eurostar , HSBC, The Powell Cotton Museum and Leeds Castle. For more information on making the walk to school cool visit
www.kmwalktoschool.co.uk or call 0844 2640292