The award-winning Walk to School campaign operated by the KM’s charity department has been running across the county for 14 years and is so successful that primary schools further afield are now joining in.

Three schools in Bexley have signed up for the KM Charity Team’s green travel initiative to encourage an active lifestyle and greater awareness of the environment amongst their pupils. Children taking part also develop essential road safety skills while the drop in school run car journeys takes the pressure off busy roads and cuts traffic related pollution.

Pupils were thrilled when Walk to School mascot Buster Bug made a special appearance at Northumberland Heath, Willow Bank and Peareswood primary schools to celebrate their new focus on green travel.

Claire Ingrams, assistant head teacher at Peareswood Primary School, said: “We are delighted to be working with the KM Charity Team. The children are excited to be participating in the Green Footsteps challenge to see which class travels to school in the most green way. Pupils will benefit hugely by developing their understanding of what it means to be a green traveller and the positive impact this can have for them, their peers, the environment and the future.”

Chief executive of the KM Charity Team Simon Dolby said: "It’s exciting that the campaign is expanding beyond Kent with more schools joining the fight against childhood obesity. I’m pleased to welcome Northumberland Heath, Willow Bank and Peareswood primaries who are joining 200 schools in Kent and Medway taking part in Walk to School schemes.”

KM Walk to School has won four national Green Apple Environment Awards for its initiatives, all of which link to Ofsted self-evaluation evidence. Projects include parent-led walking buses as well as Green Footsteps, Walk on Wednesday (WOW) and Active Bug.

Mr Dolby added: “Summer term is when schools sign up so they can have green travel in place for the next academic year and many are using their Primary School Sport Premium grant to fund it. There’s a 20% discount on WOW or Active Bug if you order by July 10 so any interested schools should contact us without delay.”

To find out more about KM Walk to School or place an order, visit www.kmwalktoschool.co.uk and complete the school enquiry form or call 0844 264 0291.

The campaign is operated in partnership with Medway Council and Kent County Council and supported by Specsavers, Countrystyle Recycling, Mini Babybel, Three R’s Teacher Recruitment agency, Southern Water, P&O Ferries, Eurostar, Golding Homes, Chaucer Foundation, Jelf Insurance Brokers, Whitefriars shopping area, IMP, Leeds Castle and Orbit South.