The RoadPeace Challenge 2024, a week of action which runs 13-19 May, is about to get underway.
The event will see emergency services, local authorities, schools, businesses, and communities involved in a series of activities aimed at raising awareness about road harm and honouring road crash victims.
Participants will run, cycle, walk, or horse ride a collective 1,766 miles to commemorate the 1,766 people reported killed on UK roads in 2022.
To help supporters make the most of the week of action, RoadPeace has released a comprehensive step-by-step guide which can be found on its website.
The guide includes:
• Instructions on how to log mileage during the week of action
• Effective ways to promote activities on social media and through public relations
• Details of how to attend the RoadPeace Challenge 2024 finale event on May 19, at the National Memorial Arboretum, in Staffordshire. Participants from across the UK will be attending the event to walk the final mile of the challenge together and bring the event to a close.
Throughout the week of action, a variety of local activities will take place, demonstrating the collective commitment to reducing road harm. Highlights include:
Police Forces
Northamptonshire Police: Road Policing Constable Emilie Bunkall is organising a road safety day in Abington Park on Saturday 18 May, in collaboration with various road safety organisations.
Leicestershire Police: The Serious Collision Investigation Unit will conduct a 24-hour static cycle with a team of officers, and a run from Police HQ.
West Yorkshire Police: Officers from the Operational Support Division will aim to complete 1,766 miles by running, walking, cycling or wheeling.
West Mercia Police: Staff will engage in activities like running, dog walking, cycling, and swimming to contribute to the mileage count.
Essex Police: Roads Policing Officer Ben Houghton will do his second Ride to Remember, cycling one mile for every person killed on Essex roads.
Thames Valley Police: The force is organising a walk and reaching out to local schools to involve children in the Challenge.
South Yorkshire Police: Roads Policing Sergeant Brandon Brown will run a 10k every day during the Challenge week.
North Yorkshire Police: Officers from across the force will engage in physical activities around North Yorkshire to support the Challenge.
Merseyside Police: Officers will cover as many miles as possible at Police HQ using treadmills and static bikes.
Local Authorities
Warwickshire, Staffordshire, and Derbyshire road safety partnerships: have organised a walk at Hartshill Hayes Country Park in Warwickshire on Friday 17 May. The walk starts and ends at the county’s memorial for road traffic victims.
Safer Roads Greater Manchester: on Thursday 16 May a ‘community mile’ will take place at Heaton Park, with emergency services, road safety professionals, local school children, bereaved families, and the public walking together.
Sussex Safer Roads Partnership: will participate in a memorial walk on Monday 13 May.
Fire and Rescue Services
Cheshire Fire & Rescue service: events will be held at key fire stations to support the Challenge.
Surrey Fire and Rescue Service/National Fire Chiefs’ Council (NFCC): Surrey’s Chief Fire Officer, Dan Quin, will cycle 31 miles to honor the 31 people killed on Surrey’s roads in 2022.
Events
RoadPeace London: On Tuesday 14 May RoadPeace staff, local members, police, and other supporters will walk from the RoadPeace office in Brixton to Crystal Palace, where Bridget Driscoll became the first pedestrian killed by a motor vehicle in 1896.
RoadPeace South West and the Clevedon Canoe Club: A kayaking taster session will take place on Saturday 18 May at the Clevedon Canoe Club.
Sign up here to take part in the RoadPeace Challenge 2024, or click here to donate in support of the many organisations taking part.
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