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| David Bellamy and sponsors with Maundene Primary School winners. |
When it comes to walking to school children from Medway are top of the class.
Pupils from four Medway primary schools have won awards for their commitment to taking car journeys off the roads.
They were invited to the KM Walk To School Awards to receive their certificate.
Special guest at the event at the Ramada Maidstone Hotel was conservationist and botanist, professor David Bellamy.
Professor Bellamy said he was proud to be involved with walking to school and welcomed the chance to recognise the achievements of those taking part in the schemes.
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| Top Volunteer Kezin Standen with David Bellamy, KM Group chairman Geraldine Allinson and sponsor Di Merwood from Denne. |
Maundene Primary School in Chatham was not only chosen as the Top New Walking Bus but was Kent’s Greenest School.
Simon Dolby, chief executive of the KM Charity Team, which runs the walk to school schemes, said: “This small bus has won because of the way it has changed the life of one young walker and because committed volunteers successfully re-started the bus after it stopped in July 2010.
“One young girl initially struggled but persisted with the once a week walk so that now, two years later, she is a much healthier weight, far fitter and happier.
“Supportive head teacher Nigel Jones urged teaching assistant Lynne Townsend to re-start the bus in September, particularly because of the way this it had benefited this pupil.”
He added that it was awarded Veolia’s Greenest School title for taking part in the company’s recycling scheme.
Rochester schools Sherwin Knight Junior and Hoo St Werburgh Primary won two awards each.
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| Sherwin Knight winners with David Bellamy and sponsors. |
Sherwin Knight was the Top Walk on Wednesday (WOW) school for the district and overall in Kent.
The Top Walking Bus Volunteer for Medway and the whole of Kent went to “shining example” Kezin Standen at Hoo St Werburgh who is always smiling and always makes sure there is enough support to allow the bus to run every day.
Walderslade Primary School was chosen as the Top Establish Walking Bus in Medway, with excellent promotion and sheer hard work enabling the scheme to grow to three buses.
The awards were supported by Ground:zero Productions, the Ramada Maidstone Hotel, Veolia Environmental Services and D.Isom Printers.
KM Walk to School schemes are KCC and Medway Council-led initiatives and are sponsored by Denne, Bel UK (Mini Babybel), Ringway, Veolia, Eurostar, The Co-operative, Southern Water and P&0 Ferries.
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| Walderslade Primary winners with sponsors Su Negus from Medway Council and Vic Window from Veolia. |