A glittering awards ceremony on Friday night marked the start of 10th birthday celebrations for KM Walk to School schemes.
Individuals and organisations involved with Walking Bus, WOW and Walking Bug were recognised for their dedication and commitment to the initiatives, which have removed 200,000 car journeys from roads across the county.
Guests at the KM Walk to School Awards 2009 at the Corn Exchange included schools, volunteers, sponsors and supporters.
Simon Dolby, chairman of the KM Charity Team, which runs the schemes, said the awards night was a chance to look back at a successful 2009 and look forward to the events and activites planned for the 10th anniversary.
“We are delighted in this anniversary year the partnership with schools is working more than ever before with one in three , some 47,000 children, involved in schemes.
“The awards ceremony gives us the chance to applaud the great ideas and commitment of the parents and schools that keep our walking buses rolling and WOW and Walking Bug thriving.”
Guests were entertained by X Factor star Ben Mills (pictured left) and the KM Charity Team was presented with a five star rating by The Green Organisation for its efforts to improve the environment.
Mr Dolby thanked all those whose support had helped to make KM Walk to School what it is today and praised Veolia Environmental Services whose sponsorship made the awards night possible.
Full winners list
Overall winners: Greenest School 2009, Maundene School, Chatham; Healthiest School 2009, Benenden Primary School, Cranbrook; Top WOW School 2009, Loose Primary School, Maidstone; Top Walking Bug School, Halfway Houses School, Sheppey; Top Volunteer, Alison Ruff, Bishops Down Primary School (pictured right with Di Merwood of Denne), Tunbridge Wells; Top Member of Staff, Tanya Clark, Churchill School, Hawkinge; Top Walking Bus 2009, St Andrew’s School, Rochester.
Media Awards
Sarah Clarke, Medway Messenger; Robert Barman, Kentish Express; Johnny Lewis, kmfm; Peter Smith (Smudge) for promoting KM Charity Challenge events on Sky 1.
Local area winners
Top Established Walking Bus, Joy Lane Primary, Whitstable; Top Member of Staff, Gill O’Connell, St Alphege Infant School, Whitstable; Top Volunteer Team, Briary Primary School, Herne Bay; Top New Walking Bus, Swalecliffe Community Primary School, Whitstable; Top WOW School, Herne Bay Junior School.
Top New Walking Bus, Birchington Primary School; Top Member of Staff, Barry Sussex, St Joseph’s Primary School, Broadstairs; Top Volunteer, Sarah Davies, Monkton Primary School; Top WOW School, Chilton Primary School, Ramsgate; Top Walking Bug School, Northdown Primary School, Cliftonville.
Tonbridge and Malling, Tunbridge Wells and Sevenoaks - full story
Top Established Walking Bus, Bishops Down Primary School, Tunbridge Wells; Top Member of Staff, Janet Vickers, Benenden Primary School, Cranbrook; Top Volunteer, Alison Craig, St Peter and St Paul’s Primary School, Leybourne; Top WOW School, St James’ Infant School, Tunbridge Wells.
Top New Walking Bus, Great Chart Primary School, Ashford; Top Member of Staff, Tanya Clark, The Churchill School, Hawkinge; Top WOW School, Sandwich Junior School; Top WOW School, Hamstreet Primary School, Ashford.
Top established Walking Bus, St Andrew’s School, Rochester; Top New Walking Bus, Bobbing Village School, Sittingbourne; Top WOW School, Balfour Junior School, Rochester; Top Walking Bug School, Halfway Houses primary School, Sheppey.
Top Established Walking Bus, East Farleigh School, Maidstone; Top Member of Staff, Ann Brown, Rosherville Primary School, Gravesend; Top WOW School, Riverview Junior School, Gravesend; Top WOW School, Loose Junior School, Maidstone.