A charity which provides ‘vital specialist help’ to victims of road crashes – and those supporting them – has received a Government funding boost to carry on its work.
The National Road Victim Service (NRVS), managed for more than two decades by the road safety charity Brake, provides help and advice to thousands of bereaved and seriously injured people each year.
Within 24 hours of a crash involving death, police forces refer victims to the NRVS, to support them in dealing with the ‘complex emotional, practical and procedural issues’ caused by road crashes.
Describing the service as ‘vital’, last week the DfT announced it would provide £169,685 to support the delivery of the NRVS in 2020/21.
Baroness Vere, roads minister, said: “The NRVS provides vital specialist help for victims, families and loved ones, during incredibly tragic circumstances.
“I am delighted to provide funding for this essential service which provides a lifeline to people during their darkest days.”
Brake estimates the NRVS provides an annual saving to the police of £2.2m, through time saved caring for road crash victims.
Mary Williams, Brake chief executive, said: “At this time of COVID-19, it is particularly important that our emergency and health services are supported by the NGO sector through the provision of vital humanitarian services, such as appropriate care of people bereaved suddenly, including by road crashes.”
The NRVS is operational across the whole of the UK and also receives funding from the Scottish Government, the Police Service of Northern Ireland and a number of police and crime commissioners in England and Wales – as well as corporate supporters of Brake.
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