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Kaimhill pupils encouraged to keep safe while travelling thanks to FirstGroup
Wednesday 16 September 2009
Children at Kaimhill Primary School will be well versed on keeping safe as they travel to and from their new temporary school at Braeside thanks to FirstGroup. The Aberdeen based transport giant has provided enough funding (around £1,700) to secure 250 copies of a book aimed at primary school pupils all about accident prevention whilst travelling.
The book, ‘Out and About,’ highlights to children the dangers when traveling, whether by car, bus, train, plane or even roller-skating and how best to keep safe. For example, in the section on buses, the book provides a short history lesson; some true examples of people being injured; illustrated cartoons of how to keep safe when catching a bus; and encourages the children to design posters highlighting dangers.
Pupils will shortly move to temporary school accommodation at Braeside, around two miles from Kaimhill Primary, while the existing school is demolished and completely re-constructed. The pupils are expected to return to Kaimhill late 2010.
Nancy Davidson, Headteacher at Kaimhill Primary School said: “Road safety is the key project for the school this year because many of our pupils will travel longer distances when we move schools in October. We want to make sure they get to and from our new location as safely as possible. The book will help reinforce to our pupils the importance of road safety and how to keep safe when travelling. We are very grateful to FirstGroup for providing the funding.”
Sir Moir Lockhead, Chief Executive of FirstGroup, said: “Safety is our number one priority within FirstGroup. The culture throughout the entire company is one of Injury Prevention. ‘If you cannot do it safely, don’t do it’ is the message to each and every one of our staff.
“Given the importance of safety within First, helping a local primary school understand the importance of safety, particularly from a transport perspective, is a natural fit. The more aware of potential risks and dangers young people are, the better!”
He added: “ We are delighted to be able to support Kaimhill Primary School in its efforts to raises safety awareness amongst its pupils.”
The book is published by the Children’s Safety Education Foundation. Its Fundraising Consultant, Nancy Oliver said: “We promote a number of child related safety education projects, dealing with such issues as drug and alcohol awareness, the hazards of the internet, fire safety, bullying, basic first aid and the dangers children face in their day-to-day life, such as the dangers on the road, building sites and railway lines.
She added: “Securing the support and buy-in of a company the size and scale of FirstGroup is a real coup for our organisation – we are thrilled that it is able to support our efforts.”
The Children’s Safety Education Foundation was awarded funding by FirstGroup’s Sponsorship and Charity Committee. The Committee comprises 12 members of staff based throughout Britain. The Committee considers requests for funding and gifts from groups and organisations across the country. It aims to provide charitable support in line with three specific criteria – young people, health and the environment. For further information on the committee please visit www.firstgroup.com.