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Vote for Green Champions in the Aviva Community Fund Poll

KentOnline readers can tackle the dual dangers of childhood obesity and air polluting traffic jams by simply casting a vote in the Aviva Community Fund Poll.

Votes for the Green Champions project could secure funding enabling 25 schools to improve the health and wellbeing of pupils, teach them vital road safety skills, and generate excitement about leading an eco-friendly lifestyle.

Schools can even put themselves forward to be considered to receive one of the funded slots.

Anyone can register for free at the Aviva Community Fund website and place up to ten votes to support the community project of their choice.

Green Champions is run by the KM Charity Team which currently works with 200 primary schools and succeeds in removing more than 300,000 school-run car journeys from Kent roads each year. The charity’s work reduces traffic congestion and harmful carbon emissions as well as increasing the number of children – and their families – undertaking regular physical activity.

Participating schools can sign up to schemes including Walking Bus, Green Footsteps, and Active Wow (Walk on Wednesday). All schemes encourage pupils to walk, cycle, scoot, or park and stride to school. Classes compete for the Green Class of the Week trophy plus monthly competitions to win prizes including tickets to leisure attractions, books, and visits from celebrity storytellers.

Kelsey Chambers, seven, and friends at Whitstable Junior School celebrate their support of Green Champions.
Kelsey Chambers, seven, and friends at Whitstable Junior School celebrate their support of Green Champions.

Groups of pupils such as school councils or eco committees become Green Champions by promoting the green travel schemes taking place at their school. They are rewarded for organising activities that create a buzz around sustainable travel to their peers and families.

The Green Champions project is being extended to include other school-led eco initiatives involving pupil activity in areas such as nature or energy conservation, recycling, or garden projects.

Simon Dolby from the KM Charity Team said: “Obesity in young people is soaring worldwide and the best way to tackle that is to establish good habits from an early age. Our project empowers children to consider and take action for their own wellbeing and that of their friends, families, and communities.”

He added: “Please help us to encourage children to lead healthier and more active lives by voting for the Green Champions project in the Aviva Community Fund Poll.”

Voting closes on November 21. Visit www.kmcharityteam.co.uk/avivavote

Schools wanting to register their interest to be one of the 25 funded schools should contact charityteam@thekmgroup.co.uk

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