Youngsters who triumphed in a walk to school challenge were rewarded with a storyteller visit from panto star Ben Roddy.

Year two pupils at St Thomas’ Catholic Primary in Canterbury clinched the most impressive number of green journeys in a countywide contest organised by the KM Charity Team. The competition was open to schools participating in the charity’s KM Walk to School campaign, which encourages families to adopt more active lifestyles.

As a reward, pupils enjoyed a special assembly with Ben giving a lively rendition of The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt – a funny tale of crayons going on strike because they’re bored of the way they’re being used.

The actor, who lives in Canterbury, was fresh from a mammoth run wowing thousands with his portrayal as Ugly Sister Donaldina in the Marlowe Theatre’s production of Cinderella.

He is also an honorary patron of the KM Charity Team, which runs green travel and literacy services for schools. The charity is also supported by organisations including Whites Transport, Ashford International Hotel, Orbit, Volker Highways, Countrystyle Recycling, Golding Vision (part of Golding Homes), Specsavers, Eurostar, Three R’s Teacher Recruitment, and Whitefriars, as well as Kent, Medway, Maidstone, Ashford, and Bexley councils.

Find out more about walk to school projects including Super Wow (Walk on Wednesday) and the Buster’s Book Club reading reward scheme at www.KmCharityTeam.co.uk

Ben will be back for this year’s pantomime Mother Goose which is now open for booking at www.MarloweTheatre.com

Follow KM Charity Team HERE on Facebook or HERE on Twitter and use the hashtags #WalkToSchool and #BustersBookClub