A local school has been going round in circles to raise over one and a half thousand pounds for the charity ‘Whizz Kidz’. Inspired by the ‘Walking Bus’ scheme, 150 children from St Mary’s R.C. Primary School, Beckenham were sponsored to walk around the school grounds. As well as having fun, the children raised money for disabled children.
“Whizz Kidz changes disabled children's lives by providing them with customised mobility equipment, training and advice, giving them the independence to live a life of freedom. This sponsored walk was a great opportunity to give the school children a fun afternoon and at the same time raise lots of money for a wonderful charity. The aim was for the children to walk ten laps around the grounds but they were having so much fun that no one wanted to leave!” said Gemma Saltzer from Whizz Kidz.
“The idea for the walk came from the children on the school’s Walking Bus. They walk to school every day and wanted to show what fun it can be. Walking to school is a great way of getting exercise and fresh air, as well as benefiting the environment and reducing congestion.” said Jean Wilkinson, Walking Bus Coordinator at Bromley Council.
The Walking Bus scheme is beneficial in many ways, both for the environment and for the children participating. The scheme saves over 25,000 kilometres in car journeys over the course of the year, cutting over 4,000kg of CO2 emissions from the atmosphere. Additionally, children learn essential pedestrian and road safety skills, and help combat rising obesity levels by exercising regularly.
Currently there are 28 schools, clubs and playgroups across Bromley participating in the Walking Bus scheme, getting nearly 300 children in the borough walking.
If you are interested in joining a Walking Bus or starting one at your school please contact Jean Wilkinson on 020 8461 7672 or e-mail road.safety@bromley.gov.uk. Alternatively, visit www.bromley.gov.uk/roadsafety.
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For media enquiries, please contact Amy Bevins, Strategy Development Officer on 020 8313 4989 or Jean Wilkinson, Walking Bus Coordinator on 020 8461 7672 or email amy.bevins@bromley.gov.uk.
Further information is available at www.bromley.gov.uk/roadsafety.