Arts and crafts hero Phil Gallagher from CBeebies’ Mister Maker has posted a video online praising youngsters for their green travel and literacy endeavours.

The message was for pupils at schools signed up to the walk to school schemes Active Wow and Green Footsteps as well as the home reading initiative Buster’s Book Club, all run by the KM Charity Team.

In the video he says: “I’m hearing great things about all the hard work you’re doing with your reading! ...And I also hear that you’re finding lots of exciting and very healthy ways to get yourself to school. Well done Mini Makers!”

The message aimed to encourage participating youngsters to pull out all the stops for a challenge tomorrow (Wednesday, October 4) when they have the chance to win tickets to the Mister Maker and the Shapes Live tour. The prize includes a meet and greet with the star of the show Phil Gallagher.

Pupils are expected to make an extra effort to walk or cycle to school and to meet or exceed their home reading targets on the contest date. Children with the biggest or most improved figures for green travel journeys or minutes spent reading at home will be in the running to clinch the prize.

Simon Dolby of the KM Charity Team said: “We are thrilled to have Phil’s support and this serves as an exciting reminder to the children to try their best for the competition tomorrow. I can’t wait to see how well they all do as they vie for the chance to win this fabulous prize.”

He added: “Schools currently not taking part in our green travel or literacy services are welcome to join us this term. Why not sign up today? There are weekly challenges, monthly competitions, and much more to keep children motivated and getting real enjoyment from a healthier lifestyle and a love of books.”

Schools can sign up to Active Wow by contacting Sarah Clyne at sclyne@thekmgroup.co.uk or visiting www.kmwalktoschool.co.uk. Join Buster’s Book Club at www.bustersbookclub.co.uk or by contacting Charlotte Hayes at chayes@thekmgroup.co.uk

The KM Charity Team’s green travel and literacy work is supported by Golding Vision (part of Golding Homes), Bel UK, Orbit, Kent Libraries, Specsavers, Kent Reliance, Eurostar, Gallagher Aggregates, Three R’s Teacher Recruitment, Volker Highways, Kent County Council, Medway Council, London Borough of Bexley, Leeds Castle, Cornwallis East Kent Freemasons’ Charity, Whitefriars, Maidstone Borough Council, Ashford Borough Council, Swale Borough Council and Canterbury City Council.

• Mister Maker and the Shapes Live tour in October includes the Kent dates Margate Winter Gardens on Saturday 14, Tunbridge Wells Assembly Hall Theatre on Thursday 26, and Dartford Orchard Theatre on Sunday 29. Visitwww.mistermakerlive.co.uk