A children’s charity has praised schools, parents, carers and children for their efforts during the COVID-19 crisis.

The KM Charity Team has released a video dedicated to those stepping up for young people’s education and wellbeing throughout lockdown.

Individuals ranging from its mascot Buster Bug to the charity’s CEO Mike Ward - along with children and pets - give a thumbs up to staff going into schools, teachers educating remotely, and parents home-schooling their youngsters.

The show of appreciation is intended for everyone and not just the schools and families with which the charity is working.

Mr Ward said: “We work with more than 100 Kent schools and know just how hard staff work under normal circumstances. But that is nothing compared to what they are doing now. They are literally risking their lives going into school and working all hours to support children online, all the while taking care of their own families.

“Parents also have a juggling act whether they are key workers on the frontline, furloughed or working from home and caring for their children – all under a cloud of uncertainty and fear.”

He added: “I hope our video will be shared far and wide. We want to let everyone know how much we appreciate all they’re doing to keep children healthy, motivated and active during this national crisis.”

The KM Charity Team has provided award-winning walk to school programmes for schools in Kent and Medway for the past 20 years and run its popular home-reading initiative Buster’s Book Club since 2014.

Find out more, or sign up to programmes for schools, at www.KMCharityTeam.co.uk

• The KM Charity Team is also calling for schools and families to enter its science competition the Bright Spark Awards. Submit details of science, technology, engineering or maths (STEM) projects undertaken in primary or secondary school – or at an extracurricular club – with a £500 cash prize up for grabs. This year a ‘home entry’ category has been introduced giving children and families the chance to take part during lockdown in a bid to win a £50 cash prize. Find out more at www.KMCharityTeam.co.uk/Brightspark
• Schools can nominate their top initiatives for promoting reading, writing, speaking and listening skills for a Kent Literacy Award. Showcase excellent work and share best practice countywide - including the new ‘best home school literacy initiative’ category - by entering at www.KMCharityTeam.co.uk/kent-literacy-awards
• Join in the charity’s Share a Story Time campaign by recording a reading of a picture book for children and sending the video to kmcharityteam@thekmgroup.co.uk using www.wetransfer.com. Follow the campaign using the hashtag #ShareAStoryTime at @inspireschools1 on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.