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| Challenge Day winners with their awards at Leeds Castle |
Children who have embraced the health and environmental benefits of walking to school have been rewarded for their efforts.
Schools taking part in the KM-backed popular Walk on Wednesday (WOW) and Walking Bug were invited to a special presentation at Leeds Castle.
More than 180 primary schools take part in the schemes and on Challenge Day classes recording the highest number of walkers are awarded trophies and prizes.
Both schemes encourage children to walk to school with their family and friends and each child has their own tally card, collecting stickers when they walk to school.
At the event it was announced that the two schemes have taken more than 150,000 school run car journeys off the road.
Andy Harper of sponsor Ringway said: “It is wonderful to see schools getting behind these schemes and what can be achieved to reduce traffic congestion and help children's health.
Shane Guy from Leeds Castle added: “We sponsor walk to school schemes because we believe in the environmental issues behind them.
“We think taking over 150,000 cars off the road in one academic year is fantastic. We look forward to welcoming the schools to Leeds Castle.”
Winning classes were presented with an award and vouchers for Leeds Castle, the Big Blue Rock climbing wall and Build-A-Bear.
As well as the KM Group, WOW and Walking Bug , which are KCC and Medway Council-led initiatives, are sponsored by Bel UK (Mini Babybel) , Ringway, Denne, Eurostar and Leeds Castle.
Winning classes in Kent and Medway
Maidstone district, Brunswick House, Saturn class; Swale, Queenborough Primary School, Indigo class; Medway, Balfour Junior School, class 4 FR; Thanet, Garlinge Primary School, class 1P; Dover district, St Margaret’s Primary School, Year 1 class; Canterbury district, St Alphege School, Whitstable, class 1K; Tonbridge & Malling, Stocks Green Primary School, Year 5 class; Tunbridge Wells, Bishops Down School, Year 5 class, Sevenoaks, New Ash Green Primary School, class BH1; Ashford, Furley Park Primary School, Heron class, 100 per cent walking; Folkestone, Morehall Primary School, Rhinos class 1H, 100 per cent walking; Dartford, York Road School; Gravesham, Dover Road Primary School, Birch class.