Cheshire Fire Cadets Win National Award
Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service Cadets from Congleton, Runcorn and Sandbach have won a national road safety award as part of a campaign to help save young lives. Representatives from the Cadet units were presented with their award at Brake’s annual reception at the Houses of Parliament on January 14.
The 2young2die awards, co-ordinated by road safety charity Brake and sponsored by young driver insurance provider iKube, encourage young people to get creative and promote life-saving road safety messages to peers and their wider community through powerful campaigns.
This year’s winning entry is a series of three short films researched, scripted and produced by teams of cadets from Congleton, Sandbach and Runcorn.
The films, on the themes of speeding, drink-driving and seatbelts, were developed as part of Cheshire’s Fire Cadet Road Safety Video Project.
The project was set up after the tragic death of Congleton Fire Cadet Hayley Bates in a road crash in September 2010 and has been such a success that it will now be run annually. Films produced by cadets will be used by fire crews in workshops with local schools and colleges throughout the year.
Laura Wheelton, Fire Cadet Watch Manager at Congleton, explained, “Our friend and fellow cadet Hayley was killed in a road crash because of speed so it’s something that has affected us, and that’s why our film focuses on the consequences of speeding. We wanted to pass on the message that speeding needs to stop.
"We’d like to make more films both about road safety and other safety messages. It was a good feeling when we were told that we’d won the 2young2die award. We’re proud that we have been able to turn something that has affected us so deeply into something positive.’
Paul Hancock, Chief Fire Officer at Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service added, “I am thrilled that our Cadets have won this fantastic award for a project I know they are passionate about. I am sure it will play a key role in helping us to educate young drivers in a bid to keep them safe on our roads.”
"Road crashes are the biggest cause of death among young people, so raising awareness of road safety is vital. Young people have lots of choices to make about using roads safely and travelling in sustainable and active ways, and can help promote road safety by developing their own campaigns."
The three short award-winning films created by the fire cadets can be viewed by following the links below:
ENDS
To take part in the 2young2die awards, young people are asked to plan and deliver an original road safety campaign, using guidance from Brake, with entries including videos, posters and interactive workshops. The aim is to raise awareness among young people and others about how they can protect themselves, friends and people around them on the roads. Entrants are also challenged to raise funds in support of Brake’s work campaigning for safer roads and supporting people bereaved and injured by crashes.
Date published: Tue, 05 Jan 2016 15:45:28 GMT
Last updated: Tuesday 05 January 2016