A children’s educational charity is urging schoolchildren to take to the streets for International Walk to School Month.

Each October the event serves as a global reminder to reduce car use to cut traffic congestion and pollution and reap the benefits of regular exercise.

And the KM Charity Team has joined the call for families to walk, cycle, or scooter to school as much as possible this month.

Simon Dolby, chief executive of the charity, said: “Walk to School Month really puts green travel in the spotlight and serves as a wonderful example to the wider community.

“Green travel makes great strides in improving air quality, traffic flow, and pupil health and wellbeing. It helps families to cut travel costs and enjoy quality time together and a healthier start to the day.

“We hope that all schools, families, and pupils make an extra effort to put their best foot forward.”

October also marks the official launch of the KM Walk to School campaign, which is run by the KM Charity Team and includes the schemes Super Wow (Walk on Wednesday) and Green Footsteps.

Participating schools, 122 so far, are armed with incentives and rewards to motivate youngsters to embrace their daily walk to school.

Classes compete for the Reading Class of the Week Trophy and join in inter-school competitions to win vouchers to attractions including Leeds Castle, Revolution Skatepark, and Pirate Cove Adventure Park.

The countywide best or most improved classes win storyteller visits by celebrities such as award-winning children’s author and illustrator Nick Butterworth or CBeebies television presenter Joanna Adeyinka-Burford.

And it seems to be a winning formula, with participating schools achieving 617,320 green journeys last academic year.

Organisations supporting the KM Walk to School campaign include Kent County Council, Medway Council, Ashford Borough Council, Maidstone Borough Council, Whites Transport, Ashford International Hotel, Whitefriars, Three R’s Teacher Recruitment, Eurostar, Specsavers, Golding Vision (part of Golding Homes), Countrystyle Recycling, Volker Highways, Orbit, EduKit, London Array, and London Borough of Bexley.

Schools can join at www.KmWalkToSchool.co.uk or by contacting Sarah Clyne at sclyne@thekmgroup.co.uk or on 0844 0264 0291.

• School staff and governors can take advantage of a free walk to school masterclass at the KM Charity Forum on Friday, October 12. The event will include briefings on road safety and how to tap into pupil voice to drive the green travel message. Free places must be booked in advance at www.KmCharityTeam.co.uk/Booking