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Road crash victims remembered in a special online ceremony

FAMILIES whose lives have been affected by road crashes across Merseyside are being urged to share photos and memories of their loved ones as part of a special online remembrance service. RoadPeace NW is inviting those who have been bereaved or injured through road crashes, together with those who support them, to an online remembrance event, on Monday, 31 August 2020, starting at 2pm.

The service usually takes place in the Lady Chapel of Liverpool Cathedral, but due to the pandemic it will now take place online and will be available on YouTube at the time the service in the Cathedral should have taken place. The YouTube link will be sent to those who have submitted a dedication, as well as being available on the website closer to the time.

During the service, photographs of loved ones who have died in road crashes will be shown. Anyone who would like a photograph of a loved one included in the service, please email the photograph with their name, dates and a short tribute to:- Info@RoadPeace.Org as soon as possible and by Monday, 24 August 2020.

The remembrance takes place on the 23rd Anniversary of the death of Diana, Princess of Wales in a road crash. RoadPeace, the national charity for road crash victims, welcomes the focus from the media and the Royal Family of the lifelong impact of road crashes on the family and friends of those killed. 31 August 2020 also marks the Anniversary of the world's 1st motor vehicle death, that of Mary Ward in Ireland in 1869.

Britain's 1st road death also occurred in August, when Bridget Driscoll was killed at Crystal Palace, on 17 August 1896, with the coroner pronouncing:- "This must never happen again." Since then, over ½ a million people have been killed in crashes in Britain and the current annual global death toll is estimated at 1.35 million deaths. In this country 1,748 people were killed and 25,975 seriously injured in 2019.

Pauline Fielding, a trustee of RoadPeace and event organiser, believes remembrance plays a vital role in reminding society about the number of victims and highlighting the long term psychological impact on those bereaved and injured in road crashes. She said:- "My son Andrew was killed in a road crash, caused by a driver who did not stop and who was never traced. Since that day, 26 years ago, I have been fighting for justice for him and to reduce dangers on the road where he died, to help prevent others also experiencing the loss of a loved one. The day Andrew died changed my life and that of so many others. I was helped emotionally and practically by RoadPeace and so I urge all those bereaved or injured by road crashes, together with those who support us, to join us in remembering our loved ones and in raising awareness to help prevent further death and injury. We are thankful to the emergency services, all those who support us and to those who are working hard to reduce the number of people killed or injured on our roads."

Merseyside's Police and Crime Commissioner Jane Kennedy said:- "Road crashes shatter lives. Each and every one brings heartache and suffering to the lives of those involved, as well as their families and loved ones. While this year's service of remembrance has had to be moved online, its poignant message is no less important. It is a reminder that we all have a responsibility to support those whose worlds have been devastated by a road traffic crash. It is also important to renew our commitment to making our roads safer, to prevent other families suffering the same pain and loss. If we all work together we can reduce the number of crashes on our roads and make them safer for future generations. My thanks, as always, go to all those from the emergency services who are working so hard to prevent collisions and are often the 1st on the scene when they do take place, providing care and help in those critical 1st minutes."

Sarah English, who is the Safer Roads Unit Co-ordinator for The Mersyside Road Safety Partnership, said:- "The Merseyside Road Safety Partnership is committed to reducing the numbers of those killed or seriously injured on the roads of Merseyside. Whilst we can't physically be together at this time of remembrance, we are grateful to the wonderful work of RoadPeace in uniting us online to support those who have experienced the devastation caused by a collision. By working together we can look forward to a safer roads environment for those living, working or visiting our wonderful Region. This shared responsibility gives us a real goal to aim towards and drives the work we do each and every day. We are honoured to support RoadPeace and will continue to raise awareness of the incredible work they do."

Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Cllr Ann Rothery, who will speak at the online ceremony, said:- "Whilst nothing can take away the pain and anguish of losing a loved to a road crash, events such as this one organised by RoadPeace may provide a positive message so that other families do not suffer that same pain and anguish others have endured. Road traffic collisions are responsible for the death or maiming of many people each year. Last year across Merseyside there were almost 500 fatalities and serious injuries. The highest number of casualties are amongst those groups classed a vulnerable, including older people and the very young. Liverpool City Council is an active member of the Merseyside Road Safety Partnership and we work together to combat the number of deaths and serious injuries in our Region. Together we are looking at new and innovative ways to engage with road users, this includes encouraging all road-users to sign a pledge to support the partnership and help reduce the number of casualties across the Region. The City Council recognises the valuable work undertaken by RoadPeace in supporting bereaved families and their tireless campaign for justice."

The search is on for Unsung heroes in a new competition to honour the nations' best

UNSUNG Heroes of the pandemic; such as NHS workers, delivery drivers and supermarket workers; are at the top of Britain's new pecking order and the most respected in society, a study shows. Research into attitudes during the Coronavirus crisis shows a remarkable change in the social pecking order of how people who do different jobs are now regarded. Almost all those in key worker roles; such as food shop staff, bin men, delivery drivers, postmen and carers; have joined NHS staff and paramedics and are now held in higher esteem than before.

A study for toiletries giant, Right Guard, found that while the health and social work industry made the most difference during the pandemic (46%), followed by technology (22%), the Government were in the bottom ½ of the list (15%) along with the education sector who polled (9%).

The findings come as Right Guard launches a nationwide competition to find the biggest unsung hero of the pandemic, with the prize of an incredible ₤2,000 towards a bucket list moment of a lifetime for the winner. The survey of over 300 adults, in London, found that ⅔ of people now have more appreciation for essential shop workers and delivery drivers, while ½ feel the same for posties and bin men. But their opinions of journalists and politicians have gone down during the crisis, while attitudes to teachers have largely remained the same.

Oliver Ramirez, Brand Manager at Right Guard, said:- "It's interesting how when the chips are down, people place more value on the simple necessities they may not have paid much heed to before. We have always held NHS staff in high regard, but we now seem to have more appreciation for those who do what we might previously have thought of as more menial work."

From Friday, 14 August 2020, anyone can nominate an Unsung Hero by heading to:- RightGuardCompetition.Co.UK, until Friday, 28 August 2020, when the competition will close. Following this, 20 shortlisted applicants across 10 nomination categories will be chosen and notified of the next stage. Each lucky applicant will then be required to send a video of them speaking to camera, explaining exactly why the person they are nominating should be crowned Britain's Unsung Hero and awarded the life changing prize.

Do you know someone who's gone above and beyond to lift spirits within the community, or perhaps a fundraiser who has surprised even themselves? There's no minimum or maximum age; this truly is one for everyone, and the ultimate winner will be notified, on Wednesday, 16 September 2020.

To nominate your unsung champion, head to:- RightGuardCompetition.Co.UK and select 1 (or more) of the following categories…

The categories are:-

► NHS Worker.

► Carer.

► Great Neighbour.

► Bin Man.

► Shop worker.

► Sports / Fitness Legend.

► Charity Fundraiser.

► Community Hero.

► Spirit Raiser.

► Best of the Rest (please specify)

Ramirez continued:- "Our survey shows how much the people of Britain appreciate all those who have sweated to keep the country running during some dark times… We want to celebrate the courage and hard work of these everyday superstars and reward them for being Britain's unsung heroes by making their bucket list dreams come true."