Children in Gravesend 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 Riverview Junior School were the Gravesham champions and were invited to The Orchard Theatre for a presentation event.
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| | Riverview Junior pupils with their awards at The Orchard Theatre |
Children from the winning Class 5J got the chance to meet the Walking Bug and received their award along with free child tickets for a show at the theatre, Leeds castle and The Powell Cotton Museum and Gardens in Birchington.
Ten-year-old Deborah Adetiba said: “Walking is good exercise and WOW encourages everyone to walk to school.”
Tom Bailey, 9, said: “Walking to school is good fun and helping the environment. All our classmates will enjoy these prizes. The bug was bugtastic.”
Head teacher Rosemary Dymond, said “WOW is a wonderful project. It excites and encourages children to walk to school even if it is only 10 minutes every day.
“It certainly reduces the traffic congestion around the school and reminds adults as well as children the benefits of healthy walking.”
Marketing manager at The Orchard Theatre, Suzannah Miller, said: “We are pleased to be supporting such a worthwhile charity, encouraging children to walk to school.”
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