Mascots from two charity programmes have helped encourage children to take part in literacy and exercise activities.

The Walk Once a Week and Buster’s Book Club programmes, both organised by the KM Charity Team, are designed to help children from local schools get more involved in outdoor activities and recreational reading.

Wowzer, the Walk Once a Week mascot, visited Miers Court Primary School in Rainham earlier this month to mark their launch of the programme.

Participating schools nominate one day a week for children and their families to walk to school, rather than use their car. All children who walk to school will receive a special sticker and, once a month, the school and classes can win prizes for their achievements.

The scheme hopes to significantly limit congestion around schools, reduce harmful emissions, help children gain the physical and mental benefits of exercise, and promote community spirit by getting families walking to school together.

Also this month, Buster Bug – the Buster’s Book Club mascot – surprised the pupils of Lunsford Primary School in Aylesford to celebrate their brand new building, including a new school library.

The literacy programme motivates children to read at home once a week and record their reading minutes to win weekly trophies and monthly prizes. Children can read anything they want, from football annuals to baking recipes, and every minute counts towards their prize.

The book club aims to help children gain skills in communication, concentration, vocabulary and literacy, develop their areas of interest, gain a sense of community with a joint goal for the whole class, and improve mental health and wellbeing with a sense of self-worth.

KM Charity Team CEO Mike Ward said: “We all know how important it is for all of us to do our bit to reduce harmful emissions and Walk Once a Week is a simple but engaging way of doing just that.

“But there are so many other benefits too; schools report that on the WOW days children arrive more energised and ready to learn, they engage with environmental issues at an early age, it helps to promote positive mental health and is a great community builder by getting

families out of their cars and actually talking to one another. Of course the ultimate aim is for children and families to walk every day but even one day makes a huge difference!

“Buster’s Book Club really focuses on getting children to read what they want to read - not every child is interested in Harry Potter. It’s not just about reading set texts, it’s about giving children the essential literacy skills they are going to need for the rest of their educational journey; if a child can’t read the maths problem they can’t answer it – it’s that simple!”

To find out more about how to sign up your school or PTA for these initiatives, click here.

You can also email charityteam@thekmgroup.co.uk for further information.