Green Apple Environment Awards
The Walking Bus group has received three national Green Apple Environment awards, the first of these was received in 2002 when a Special Award was made for the environmental benefits resulting from promoting and setting up Walking Buses.
The charity received the champions trophy in the community and charity section in 2005 and 2007 at ceremonies at the Houses of Parliament. In 2005 the charity was presented with The Queen's Award for Voluntary Service.
Sheila Flynn, the group's representative from Canterbury City Council, received the first trophy during a three-day celebration mini cruise to Spain from Portsmouth. She is pictured left with committee members following the 2002 award.
The annual awards are organised by the independent environmental group The Green Organisation to recognise, reward and promote environmental best practice among countries, companies, councils and communities.
Miss Flynn said: "This national award recognises the efforts and achievements of all those who are involved with promoting, setting up and co-ordinating Walking Buses in our of Kent and will hopefully encourage other parents and schools to think about setting up a Walking Bus."
Group chairman Simon Dolby said he was delighted the hard work of its parent volunteers and professionals from supporting agencies had been recognised by The Green Organisation.
He said: "I understand we are the first Walking Bus group to receive one of these national awards. It is something everyone involved with Walking Buses locally is very proud of."
The Walking Bus Group is a multi-agency partnership supported by the
Kent Messenger Group, Canterbury City Council, Kent County Council, Medway Council, Health Promotions at the East Kent Coastal Community NHS Primary Care Trust, Thanet Council, Walking Bus scheme co-ordinators, head teachers and a number of Kent businesses who sponsor the scheme.
The Kent Walking Bus Group organising the annual KM Walk to School AWards to highlight the hard work of volunteers involved in running Walking Buses and the support of professionals involved with Walk on Wednesday and Walking Bug schemes.
Keeping a Walking Bus scheme operating over the months and years is hard work so it is only right we celebrate when a scheme reaches its birthday.
Kent's longest-running 'bus' operates at Minster Primary School, Thanet and has been running for eight years. Scheme co-ordinator Brian Portanier and volunteers from Minster had this special milestone recognised at the Big Bus record attempt held in Canterbury each year. Mr Portanier is pictued on the left receiving a certificate from Brian Constable of The Co-operative Group.
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