The latest school to join the award-winning KM Walk to School campaign has revealed the extent of the drive’s success in Canterbury.

Youngsters from St Stephen’s Infants, on Hales Drive, helped to reveal that participating schools have generated 34,020 green journeys in the district this academic year.

St Stephen’s has joined a rising tide of green travel advocates pledging to pound the pavement instead of driving the school run.

KM Walk to School is run by the KM Charity Team and includes the schemes Active Wow (Walk on Wednesday), Walking Bus, and Green Footsteps.

Alice Edgington, head teacher at St Stephen’s, said she was “really excited to be on board Active Wow for September and encouraging children to walk to school.

“It’s really important for children to be active. Walking to school is a simple step that parents can take to help their children become ready for learning in the classroom – and of course it also helps to cut traffic congestion.”

KM Walk to School has won five national Green Apple Environment Awards for its initiatives, all of which link to Ofsted self-evaluation evidence.

Organisations supporting the campaign include the Kent, Medway, Maidstone, Ashford and Bexley councils along with Ashford International Hotel, Eurostar, Three R’s Teacher Recruitment, Countrystyle Recycling, Volker Highways, Whitefriars, Golding Vision (part of Golding Homes), Orbit South, Specsavers, Leeds Castle, Rotary, Historic Dockyard Chatham, London Array, EduKit, and Whites Transport.

Simon Dolby, CEO of the KM Charity Team, said: “We are so proud of the schools and families who are making great strides in boosting children’s activity levels. Their efforts also mean fewer cars clogging up roads and emitting toxic fumes during the busy school run.

“I hope more schools will follow St Stephen’s lead. Now is the best time to join and have green travel in place for the autumn – plus, we offer a 20% discount on orders placed this term.”

Visit www.KmWalkToSchool.co.uk/wow or contact Kathy Beel at kbeel@thekmgroup.co.uk or by calling 0844 264 0291.