POLICE, firefighters and road safety professionals in Warwickshire clocked up the miles to raise money for a charity for UK road crash victims, as part of the Andy Cox Challenge.
Members of Warwickshire Police, Warwickshire County Council (WCC), the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Warwickshire and Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service ran ten miles or cycled double that distance on a circular route passing all four headquarters in the county.
Last year, Det Ch Supt Andy Cox of Lincolnshire Police raised over £50,000 for RoadPeace by running 125 miles from the site of the first ever road death in London to the RoadPeace Wood at the National Memorial Arboretum.
This year, blue-light professionals across the UK ran, cycled and walked across their force areas while Det Ch Supt Cox covered 30 miles a day for seven days on foot or by bicycle.
Warwickshire Road Safety partners showed their support to the runners, walkers and cyclists who set off at intervals from Warwickshire Police Headquarters in Leek Wootton.
Deputy Chief Constable Alex Franklin-Smith said: “The number of people who needlessly die on our roads every year is simply not acceptable.
“That’s why we are supporting the Andy Cox Challenge to show our commitment to reducing casualties on Warwickshire’s roads – and why we will continue to target those drivers who choose to put themselves and others at risk by speeding, drink or drug driving, using a handheld mobile phone or not wearing a seatbelt.”
Asst Ch Fire Officer Barnaby Briggs said: “We know that more people die in road crashes than due to terrorism and murder combined.
“We are supporting the Andy Cox Challenge to ask people to do something about this by taking more care and responsibility not only for their own safety on the roads but to look out for the safety of others particularly those that are vulnerable such as pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and horse riders.”
WCC’s transport spokesman Coun Wallace Redford added: “Primary Schools in Warwickshire have also been asked to show their support of the Andy Cox Challenge by wearing purple for the day to raise awareness of road danger and funds for RoadPeace.
“We need your help too to create a safer road environment that will encourage people of all ages into active, healthy and sustainable travel.”
The Warwickshire participants are now asking the public to sponsor their efforts by visiting www.justgiving.com/fundraising/WarwickshireRoadSafetyPartnership and donating to RoadPeace.
Visit www.warksroadsafety.org for more information about the Warwickshire Road Safety Partnership.
