An unforgettable opportunity to get up close and personal with birds of prey is on offer to schools taking part in a double challenge tomorrow (Wednesday, May 9)

Schools signed up to Active Wow (Walk on Wednesday) or the reading reward scheme Buster’s Book Club will be in the running to win a visit from Faversham falconers Joe’s Bows - and their assortment of owls, hawks, kestrels and buzzards. As well as enjoying a flying display, the children will learn all about the birds, their diet and their biology.

All the classes need to do to be in with the chance of winning is strive to have as many pupils walking to school as possible tomorrow morning, or to reach or exceed their home reading targets in the evening.

Simon Dolby, chief executive of the KM Charity Team, said: “The beauty, grace, and agility of birds of prey captivate adults and children alike. They are wonderful creatures and whoever wins the prize is in for an amazing experience.”

Active Wow and Buster’s Book Club encourage participation by turning the walk to school or reading into a fun competition. Each Wednesday, classes in participating schools compete with each other to get the highest number of green journeys or reading minutes. Every school awards a trophy each week to the top or most improved class for green travel or reading.

Inter-school challenge days are staged monthly when classes compete against others in the district, or sometimes the county, to win major prizes.

The KM Charity Team’s work is supported by White’s Transport, Ashford International Hotel, Orbit, Volker Highways, Countrystyle Recycling, Golding Vision (part of Golding Homes), Specsavers, Eurostar, Kent County Council, Medway Council, London Borough of Bexley, Three R’s Teacher Recruitment, Maidstone Borough Council, Ashford Borough Council, Whitefriars, Leeds Castle, Little Cheyne Court, Kent Community Foundation, Planet Ice, Hornby, Diggerland, and Wildwood.

For more information, or to join, visit www.kmwalktoschool.co.uk/wow or www.bustersbookclub.co.uk