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| Loose Junior School pupils receive their prizes at Leeds Castle |
Children in Maidstone 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 Loose Junior School were the Maidstone champions and were invited to Leeds Castle for a presentation event.
Children from the winning Class 4JS got the chance to meet the Walking Bug and received their award along with free child tickets for the castle and The Powell Cotton Museum and Gardens in Birchington.
Eight-year-old Amber Quinton said: “I am proud of what I have achieved to help the environment.”
Harrison Lowe, also 8, added: “Walking to school keeps you healthy, it is better for the environment.”
Shane Turner, teaching assistant, said “It is great to be working in a school like Loose Junior, where the pupils take great pride in walking to school to promote keeping healthy and reducing carbon footprints.”
Shane Guy, head of publicity at Leeds Castle said: “We are proud to continue our support of WOW and Walking Bug.
“Promoting healthy activities to the children is something we enjoy being associated with and we look forward to welcoming the winning schools and their families to Leeds Castle.”
Julia Smith, pictured right, of sponsor HSBC said: “HSBC has been proud supporters of WOW for three years and have been delighted to see how it has grown. It is lovely to see the children enjoy their walking and understanding how good it is for them and the environment.”
Paula Warrington, pictured in back row, from Bel UK said: “These schemes are an excellent way to introduce children to more activity and healthy lifestyles.
“It is also a great way of improving a reduction in CO2 by having fewer cars on the road. “
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