SEFTON School children who won an anti scrambler bike poster project have
returned from their Christmas trip of a lifetime to Lapland.
The children, from 5 schools in Bootle, Litherland and Netherton, flew over to
Finland and were taken to the Santa Claus Village at the Arctic Circle, where
they took part in sledging and sleigh rides, before meeting Santa himself. They
returned to England in time for Christmas, as Santa had some important work to
finish with his elves.
The 5 schools involved were:-
► Lander Road Primary School, Litherland.
►All Saints Primary School, Bootle.
►St Monica's Primary School, Bootle.
►St Oswalds C of E Primary School, Netherton.
►The Grange Primary School, Bootle.
The project was set up by Constable Alan Thompson from Bootle Neighbourhood
team, Sefton Council, Alder Hey Children's Hospital and the L30 Millions
Project, and aims to highlight the impact off road bikes have on local
communities.
During the autumn term, children from the schools were taken on adventure days,
including a day out at Crosby Lakeside Centre, and in school designed anti
scrambler bike posters as part of the project.
Constable Thompson said:- "It was a magical trip for the
children and adults alike and I am so pleased that the childrens' enthusiasm and
imagination in getting involved has led to such a spectacular reward."
The 16 winners of the poster competition were presented their certificates by
Graham Sharp, Jamie Carragher at a ceremony in November at Merseyside Police
Headquarters, before the grand unveiling of the children's prize to Lapland.
Speaking at the time of the presentation, Sefton Neighbourhood Inspector Ian
Jones said:- "This has been a very successful local project highlighting
the dangers associated with off road bikes and how they can affect our
communities. We know that these bikes can cause significant nuisance, stress and
danger to members of the Sefton community and beyond. We strongly believe that
education and engagement is such an important part of eradicating the problem,
working alongside Sefton Council and our other partners. We hope that by getting
involved, the young people have learned some valuable lessons to share far and
wide, and that they enjoy their prize."
Merseyside Police and Crime Commissioner Jane Kennedy said:- "It will be a
pleasure to watch these young people, who have shown enthusiasm and energy for
this project, receive their prizes. This initiative has got the young people
really thinking about the dangers and consequences of using off road bikes. I
often hear from people across Merseyside about the fear and anxiety the illegal
use of these bikes causes in our communities; that is why it is so important we
engage with our young people from an early age and help steer them away from
getting involved in such dangerous behaviour. I congratulate the winners and all
the young people who have taken part, as well as the officers and staff who have
worked on this effective campaign."
Sefton Council Chief Executive Margaret Carney said:- "We are delighted
Schools in Sefton have so successfully raised awareness of the dangers scrambler
bikes can cause, to individuals and the wider community. The posters that the
children have made are wonderful and send a powerful message to those engaging
in this sort of anti social behaviour. We are so pleased to have worked in
partnership with these wonderful organisations to make this well deserved trip
happen."
