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| Challenge Day winners from Willesborough Junior School with their awards |
Children in Ashford 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 Willesborough Junior School were the Ashford district champions and were invited to the Rare Breeds Centre for a presentation event.
Children from the winning Class 6d 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.
Ten-year-old Hannah Edwards, aged 10, of Class 6d, said “It is a good idea to walk to school because you keep fit and healthy”.
Ben Uden, also10, added: “It is a good idea to walk to school because it helps stop pollution. We could not have won without our classmates and Mrs Shore, Mrs Wearn and Jo our FLO”.
Family liaison officer Jo Kozlowski said: “The children are delighted to have won this award and the lovely prizes.”
Nikki Sara, events manager at the Rare Breeds Centre 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