A charity which provides free support to people affected by road deaths in the east of England has launched a ‘hard-hitting’ film to highlight its work.
Founded in 1995, the Road Victims Trust (RVT) provides emotional and practical support to those affected by fatal road collisions in Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire.
The RVT works in partnership with police forces and road safety partnerships across the three counties. Its team of volunteers and coordinating staff delivers face-to face-counselling and support for as long as is needed.
The new film features Kate Goldsmith, Tanya Huckle and Henry Wellbelove, all ambassadors with the RVT, who speak about the the loss of their loved ones.
It also includes tributes from police family liaison officers and counsellors who work alongside the RVT.
Mark Turner, chief executive of the RVT, said: “This is an incredibly moving and powerful production involving remarkable people.
“The effects of a road death are absolutely devastating yet all the people reliving their experiences are doing so knowing it will enable the Trust to support other people in similar circumstances.
“I urge everyone to watch the film and learn about our work.”
These stories are powerful ones. Every year nearly 2000 persons lose their lives on our roads and tens of thousands, thats 10.000’s suffer from serious injuries, many life changing and hundreds of thousands,thats 100.000’s suffer minor injuries. Those numbers just relate to the actual victims themselves and does not include their families, loved ones and friends. There is a lot of pain and suffering all round by going on millions of people over any period of time.
In 2017 there were 5 people killed and 460 people injured every day on our roads, considered to be some of the safest in the world.
This is something that happens every year year on year and still it’s far too many victims but is it something that we have become insensitive to. If we have we are a poorer society for that and for their loss.
I know and feel that it is wrong to put a financial cost to a person’s death or injury but in 2017 it was estimated that the cost alone of RTC.to the N.H.S was some £35. Billion. One has to add to that any costs as a result of a death or serious or slight injury that can have a knock on effect to society, employment,benefits, support structures etc. and as a whole and that figure increases the cost expedentially.
Surely in this day and age we can do better than this.
R.Craven
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