10,000 North West kids march for safer roads as 5 children from the region are killed or injured every day

MORE than 10,000 kids from across the North West will take to their streets to raise awareness of the 5 children who are killed or injured on the region's roads every day. The children, aged between 4 and 11, are among more than 100,000 from across the UK taking part in Brake's Kids Walk, in partnership with Co-op Insurance. The national project is helping youngsters call for key measures to make roads safer, so that more children can enjoy the health and planet saving benefits of walking.

To coincide with the launch of the walk, road safety charity Brake has highlighted the true extent of child casualties on the region's roads. Latest Department for Transport (DfT) figures show that 1,988 children were killed or injured on roads in the North West in 2016. On average, nearly 5 children die or suffer injuries as a result of road crashes every single day. That's the equivalent of a classroom full every week. Across the region, Lancashire has the greatest number of child road casualties (431 a year)while both Bury and Stockport have the fewest (33). Cumbria, Liverpool and Manchester all saw more than 100 children killed or injured on their roads in 2016.

More than 50 Schools and nurseries from across the region are uniting with Brake's Kids Walk, calling for 5 measures to help keep them safe: footpaths, cycle paths, safe places to cross, slow traffic and clean traffic. 

Short, supervised walks are taking place today and all week at or around Schools and nurseries. Children will walk in a crocodile formation and hold hands to highlight the importance of being able to walk without fear or threat from traffic. Some Schools are teaming up with their local fire service or Police.

Schools can also run special road safety themed assemblies, lessons, and activities, using resources provided for free by Brake and Co-op Insurance. The event can be used to fundraise for the charity, which supports families who have lost loved ones in road crashes.

Dave Nichols, community engagement manager for Brake, the road safety charity, said:- "It is every child's right to be able to walk in their community without fear of traffic and pollution. But many kids are unable to do so because they don't have access to simple measures such as footpaths, cycle paths and safe places to cross. Many more have to contend with fast traffic and pollution from vehicle emissions. If we want more children and their families to walk in the North West, then we need to make sure their journeys are safe. We're delighted that so many Schools and children across the region agree with us on this and are taking part in Brake's Kids Walk. Together we can raise awareness about the issues that matter to them and help make their roads safer."

Sarah Collins, senior road safety Officer at Cheshire West and Chester Council, said:- "It is our aim for children to be able to walk and cycle in safety. They need the freedom to use the roads for their social development and exercise for their general health and fitness. Our team is busy working on the 20mph schemes; we want to make it safer for everyone to make healthy travel choices, and encourage people to become responsible road users."

Nick Ansley, head of motor insurance at the Co-op said:- "To see so many children taking part in this event, and promoting road safety is fantastic. Our aim is to help keep communities safe and so it's great to be involved in an initiative which is doing just that.  Every School across the UK faces different issues, whether it be available footpaths, safe places to cross, or cycle paths. In partnership with Brake, we're hoping to raise awareness among all road users to help ensure communities are kept safe."

800 people take part in Prostate Cancer UK's Liverpool March for Men

ON Sunday, 10 June 2018, over 800 people flocked to take part in the 1st ever March for Men fundraising event in Liverpool. Taking place, at Croxteth Hall and Country Park, the event raised vital funds to help beat prostate cancer; a disease which kills 1 man every 45 minutes.

Supporters young and old took part from across the area walking a choice of distances around a circular route, many with a personal connection to the disease.

Elaine Small, from Southport participated with 28 family members including her husband, Pat (66) and his brother, Michael (61); who both have prostate cancer, and were treated in the same Hospital at the same time over a period of 7 weeks. "I marched for all men because my husband and his brother have prostate cancer, and their father died from the disease. I also have 3 sons, 2 nephews and 1 grandson who are all at higher risk of developing the disease; so helping Prostate Cancer UK fund research into a better diagnostic test and screening programme, just like for breast cancer, is incredibly important to me and my boys' futures."

The Small family, from Liverpool and Southport, completed the 5k or 10k routes and raised more than ₤4,000 between them. Elaine and Pat's 16 week old granddaughter was the youngest member of the clan to cross the line and receive a medal. Elaine continued:- "To take part in the Liverpool March for Men was wonderful; it was a glorious day, and there was something very special about walking as a family for the same positive cause. The camaraderie and community spirit along the route, and in the event village, was heart warming."

The event formed part of Prostate Cancer UK's wider walking programme, March for Men, which includes 6 other local walks across the UK over June 2018.

As participants crossed the finish line they were awarded with medals and greeted by cheers, before they could relax in the sun with their loved ones, or have a mooch around the event village. And it wasn't only people who took part in the March; over 100 dogs participated, all sporting branded neckerchiefs.

On hand was a Specialist Nurse who answered questions from participants about the disease and where their fundraising efforts are spent.

The Liverpool March for Men was 1 of 2 events in the region on Sunday with Manchester also welcoming more than 550 walkers to Wythenshawe Park.

Over 744 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer in the Liverpool each year, with 195 men dying from the disease, and over 5,585 living with and beyond prostate cancer.

Prostate Cancer UK's Chief Executive, Angela Culhane said:- "We are delighted with the success of our March for Men event in [Manchester] this weekend. The number of people who united showing passion and dedication to supporting Prostate Cancer UK was phenomenal. 1 man dies every 45 minutes from prostate cancer, and we now know this disease is the third biggest cancer killer. That's unacceptable. However, through events such as this, we hope to raise further awareness and funds so that more men's lives can be saved and we can make prostate cancer a disease that the next generation need not fear. We thank everyone of all ages who took part (not forgetting the 4 legged participants!) and all those who donated to support them."

Many people are unaware that prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men. It's a huge issue that cannot be ignored. 1 man will die from prostate cancer every 45 minutes in the UK. That's over 11,800 men a year. Based on current trends, if we ignore prostate cancer and do nothing, this number will rise to over 14,500 men a year by 2026.

For more information about Prostate Cancer UK's March for Men programme, visit:- MarchForMen.Org.