Challenge winners show that walking to school is cool

Hundreds of youngsters competing in a challenge day persuaded parents to forgo a ride in the family car for more active means of getting to school.


Silver Blades Challenge Summer 2016 from KM Charity Team on Vimeo.

Children across the county walked, cycled, scooted or parked and strode to school to compete in the KM Walk to School Summer Challenge.

The competition was organised by the KM Group’s charity department for all schools taking part in the KM Walk to School campaign.

The winners were invited to a celebration at Silver Blades Ice Rink, Gillingham where they were rewarded with ice skating tickets and special framed certificates. They were cheered on by representatives from Countrystyle Recycling and Silver Blades.

Claire Moorhouse of Silver Blades, said: “We are always keen to encourage young people to maintain a more active lifestyle - both physically and mentally - which is why we are so passionate about KM Walk to School. Events like this are really important to highlight the good work of all the schools across Kent.”

Young champions Harley Ribbens, 11 and Chloe Adams, 11 of Oak Class at Kingswood Primary School, Maidstone were quick to comment on green travel. “We love walking to school because you are helping to save the environment as well as getting healthy. Plus you get to spend time with your friends before you start school.” they said.

Organisations backing the KM Walk to School services for schools which include Walk on Wednesday (WOW), Active Bug, Green Footsteps and Walking Bus are: Kent County Council, Golding Vision (part of Golding Homes), Leeds Castle, Silver Blades Ice Rink, Circle Housing Russet, Three R’s Teacher Recruitment, Mini Babybel, Whitefriars shopping area, Safer Kent, Bexley Council, Maidstone Borough Council, Orbit South and Eurostar.

This academic year, KM Walk to School schemes have removed over 250,000 school run car journeys from the county's roads, vastly helping to lower harmful emissions and pollution, as well as reductions in noise pollution and congestion.

Simon Dolby, chief executive of KM Walk to School, said: “These hardworking youngsters are really proving that walking to school is cool. Our brand new green travel initiative Super WOW gets underway next term and schools still have the opportunity to sign up. Please do get in contact if you are interested.”

Visit our website for details of how schools can join Super WOW, or contact Simon Dolby on the details below.

KM Walk To School Summer Challenge Winners

Maidstone: Kingswood Primary School - Oak Class

Medway: Delce Infant School - Seahorse Class

Tonbridge and Malling: Sussex Road Community Primary - Class 1SC

Gravesham: Chantry Community Academy - Donaldson Class

Bexley: East Wickham Primary School - Class 4C

Canterbury: Canterbury Primary School - Westwood Class

Contact Details

Simon Dolby
Telephone: sdolby@thekmgroup.co.uk
Email: 08442 640291