A special ‘making a difference’ award has been presented to a team of road safety volunteers at this year’s Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) awards ceremony.
Cllr Paul Oatway QPM, Chair of Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Authority, made the presentation to the Safe Drive Stay Alive (SDSA) speakers.
SDSA has been running for nearly 20 years in a format featuring a range of speakers. Some are members of the public who have lost a loved one or had their life altered as a result of a road traffic collision, while others are emergency service and health professionals, talking about what they have seen and dealt with.
The delivery of road safety education is changing, based on national evaluation supported by the National Fire Chiefs Council, and there will no longer be the emphasis on personal stories.
As such, DWFRS wanted to thank the volunteers publicly for their dedication over so many years.
Representing the wider team on the night were the members of the public who have chosen to revisit the worst day of their lives in the hope of preventing someone else having to go through the same pain: Claire and Dave Barnett, Demi Bishop, Elaine Corner, Jorge Moss, Angela Platt, Andrew Stagg, Greg Sumner and Lea Watson.
Cllr Oatway said: “Safe Drive Stay Alive has had a positive impact on young people across our Service area for many years, and the presentations could not have happened without the courage and dedication of the speakers taking part.
"Sharing your worst experiences in front of a hall of people is extremely emotional, but they have done it in the hope of making a difference.
“It was my privilege to present the team with their awards, and to thank them on behalf of the Service and the Fire Authority for their commitment. I have no doubt that they have contributed to many lives being saved.”
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