Walk to school campaign

The Walk to School Campaign is a British campaign promoting the benefits of walking to school. It is a founder member of the IWALK (International Walk to School) organisation.

The campaign is run by the charity Living streets and receives funding from the Department for Transport and Department for Health.

The Walk to School campaign coordinates National Walk to School week, at the end of May, and International Walk to School Month (October) in the UK. Each year, around 2 million primary school pupils take part. Local events are organised by school travel advisors and road safety departments, while the campaign organises the national publicity and stunts.

The campaign also developed, in conjunction with Transport for London, the WoW scheme which rewards children who walk to school regularly with a collectable enamel badge. WoW originally stood for "Walk on Wednesdays", but it developed into "Walk once a Week", and then "WoW".

In 2006, the campaign unveiled a new look, featuring the mascot "Strider" - a bright orange foot.

1995 The very first Walk to School week was in 1995, with just five primary schools taking part in Hertfordshire as part of its contribution to hosting the Environmental Transport Association's Green Transport Week.

1996 The campaign was launched nationally by the Pedestrians Association (later Living Streets) and Travelwise, with the particular support of Dorset and Hertfordshire councils. Originally the Walk to School week was held during Child Safety Week.

1997 Walk to School week moves to its own dedicated week at the end of May. Campaigns began in Chicago and Los Angeles in the USA.

2000 The first ever International Walk to School Day was launched with schools taking part in Canada, Great Britain, USA, Ireland, Cyprus, Gibraltar and the Isle of Man.

2003 International Walk to School day extends into a week of activities. International Walk to School Week was supported by 33 countries including America, Belgium, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

In London, the Walk to School campaign launches WoW (walk once a week) - a scheme that rewards pupils for walking all year round.

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