AXA PPP healthcare has signed up as a sponsor of the Kent & Medway Walking Bus Group and is making a donation of £5,000 to support its work.

The funding will help the charity to launch new Walking Bus schemes and to develop its work in supporting the network of 70 buses already operating in the county.

Walking Buses are organised walk to school schemes with parents joining a rota to take it in turns to escort a column of children along set routes to and from school. All involved wear high-visibility tabards, which are provided free by the project.

The Kent and Medway Walking Bus project works in partnership with KCC and Medway Council and is the country's only support group for Walking Buses, giving schools and parent groups in Kent a great advantage when promoting organised walk to school schemes.

As well as grant funding, AXA PPP healthcare, is working with the charity to create an exciting challenge event for Walking Bus children, which will be launched later this year.

Chairman of the Kent and Medway Walking Bus project Simon Dolby said: "The support from AXA PPP healthcare has been fantastic. Everyone in the charity is really looking forward to the coming year and working with the organisation. We are still drawing together the ideas for the challenge event but initial ideas look very exciting and will be great fun for the children and adults that take part on the daily walk to school."

Rosie Serpis AXA PPP healthcare HR development manager said: "AXA PPP healthcare is delighted to be a key sponsor of the Kent and Medway Walking Bus project.

"It not only plays a part in helping to reduce traffic congestion and pollution around schools but it is a great way of bringing children and parents together and encouraging new friendships to develop.

"And, of course, regular walkers will benefit from improved health and fitness - making this idea an all-round winner."

AXA PPP healthcare, which has had its Kent headquarters in Tunbridge Wells, Kent since 1958, forms the UK healthcare arm of AXA, a worldwide leader in financial protection, providing healthcare cover for individuals and companies based in the UK and abroad.

As well as the Kent Messenger Group, the project is backed by Denne Construction, Ringway, Cleanaway, the Co-op, Pfizer and the district council.

For information on setting up a Walking Bus or sponsoring the charity view www.kentwalkingbus.org or call Simon Dolby on 07989 164 752.