News - On the road again

The British Red Cross, joined by TV presenter Konnie Huq, launched its 2006 road safety campaign on 9 June with a specially written play and first aid training session for 100 schoolchildren

The Don’t Be A Bystander campaign, now in its second year, was launched at Woburn Safari Park in Bedfordshire. After receiving first aid training, local schoolchildren enjoyed two performances of Chicken, an interactive play that encourages road awareness and demonstrates how to act safely at a road accident.

The 2006 campaign, run in partnership with Toyota, is being fronted by Blue Peter presenter Konnie Huq and aims to deliver roadside first aid training to over 60,000 young people.

Throughout the summer, the Red Cross will be running roadshows across the country. Volunteers and staff will be teaching children life-saving skills at beaches, shopping centres, town squares and theme parks

Konnie Huq said: “The Don’t Be A Bystander campaign is a great way for kids and their parents to learn roadside first aid. Doing something really simple, like tilting someone’s head back to clear their airway, could actually save their life if they are involved in a road accident. Anyone can learn first aid.”

Emily Oliver, first aid manager, said: “First aid is an essential life skill for children to have. Up to 85 per cent of preventable pre-hospital deaths from road accidents could be avoided if basic first aid were administered before the emergency services arrive.”