Children in Folkestone 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 classes with the highest number of walkers are named winners and receive trophies and prize packages.
Pupils from Harcourt Primary School were the Folkestone district champions and were invited to the Rare Breeds Centre for a presentation event.
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| | Harcourt Primary School winners at the Rare Breeds Centre |
Children from the winning Edison Class got the chance to meet the Walking Bug and received their award along with free child tickets for the centre, The Powell Cotton Museum in Birchington and Leeds Castle.
Eight-year-old Shannon Lucken, of Edison Class, said: “Walking to school keeps you fit and healthy. I walk to school every day with my mum and two brothers and three sisters, we all have special weatherproof suits”.
Cullum Baker, also 8, added, “I walk to school every day with my mum, we have a chat on the way. Mrs Harris our teacher always says well done everybody for walking to school.
Karen Stone, Family Liaison Officer and school travel plan co-ordinator, said: “This is an amazing result for Edison on in its first WOW challenge day.
Nikki Sara, events manager at the Rare Breeds Centre, pictured right, said: “We fully support the KM walk to school team. WOW and Walking Bug are wonderful, not only encouraging families to exercise regularly but also increasing children’s road safety awareness.
“This obviously reduces the traffic outside the schools and less traffic means less pollution, which can only be a good thing for all of us.”
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 and Leeds Castle. For more information on making the walk to school cool visit
www.kmwalktoschool.co.uk or call 0844 2640292