A charity that provides support to the victims of serious road traffic collisions has expanded its geographical area of operation.
Following its success in Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire, the Road Victims Trust has now been rolled-out into Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.
The Trust’s specialist trained volunteer counsellors provide free emotional, practical and some legal support to road victims.
The expansion is largely due to the efforts of Lady Susan Acland who tragically lost her husband in a road collision in Bedfordshire in 2009. Lady Acland was initially supported by the Trust in Bedfordshire but when she returned to Cambridge there was no such support for road victims.
Lady Acland’s vision to support other road victims became a reality on 22 April when the Trust extended its support to cover Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.
The expansion has been made possible by financial support from Cambridgeshire, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire police forces who provided a donation while setting up a joint road policing unit for the three counties. The contribution will help ensure road victim support is available across the three force areas.
Steve Ottaway, CEO of the Road Victims Trust, said: “I am delighted that the police have endorsed the service with such a significant donation which will allow us to fulfil Lady Acland’s long held vision.”
The Trust has trained six volunteers in Cambridgeshire to provide specialist support to residents affected by road death.
Simon Parr, chief constable of Cambridgeshire and a patron of the Trust, said: “I am delighted to be involved in establishing the Trust in the county. The support offered by the Trust complements that of police family liaison officers and is invaluable.”
Lady Acland has also accepted an invitation from the trustees of the Road Victims Trust to become a patron in recognition of her efforts on behalf of the residents of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.
For more information contact Steve Ottaway on 01234 843345.
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