School children in Bexley have launched International Walk to School Month and are ready to take on a triple green travel challenge.

Pupils from East Wickham Primary School and St Fidelis Catholic Primary School have been pounding the pavement during the annual green travel awareness campaign, which runs throughout October. Families are urged to shun the car in favour of walking or cycling for the school run and reap the benefits of a healthier lifestyle.

This week Eric Hodges from Orbit South, a key supporter of the KM Walk to School campaign, visited the schools to see their activity for Walk to School Month. His visit included an assembly at East Wickham Primary launching the KM Walk to School Triple Challenge.

The challenge requires pupils to compete for the Green Class of the Week Trophy as well as monthly inter-school green travel contests to win exciting prizes. To top it off the academic year concludes with a record attempt for all participating schools to collectively achieve the biggest number of school run car journeys off the road.

Mr Hodges said: “KM Walk to School is a fantastic scheme. It hits all of the priority areas that we want to focus on so we’re more than happy to be involved with this.”

Other schools in Bexley signed up to KM Walk to School include Willow Bank Primary, Days Lane Primary, Gravel Hill Primary, Jubilee Primary, Northumberland Heath Primary, Belmont Primary, West Lodge, St Stephen’s Catholic Primary, Longlands Primary and Peareswood Primary.

KM Walk to School is a Kent County Council and Medway Council led initiative supported by organisations including Ashford Borough Council, Maidstone Borough Council, Golding Vision (part of Golding Homes), Leeds Castle, Circle Housing Russet, Whitefriars shopping area, Safer Kent, Bexley Council, Eurostar, Specsavers, Three R’s Teacher Recruitment and Mini Babybel.

Schools can find out more about Walk on Wednesday (WOW), Active Bug and Green Footsteps at www.kmwalktoschool.co.uk.