Lifeline support has been given to a hard-hitting road safety programme which will keep the initiative running
Following fears a lack of funds might lead to Safe Drive Stay Alive being shelved in 2016, a number of firms with local connections have stepped up to provide all the money required to take the important message to thousands of teenagers across the north-east of Scotland.
Safe Drive Stay Alive has been attended by all senior school pupils in the north-east area for the last eleven years.
It is staged across Scotland and is regularly recognised in major awards programmes.
The hard-hitting stage show features real-life testimony from members of the emergency services who regularly deal with road collisions, as well as members of the public whose lives have been affected by road collisions in an extreme and profound way.
This year’s show will see 5,000 pupils from across the region bussed to Aberdeen’s Beach Ballrooom, including youngsters from the south of the area in communities including Kincardine and the Mearns.
The initiative is a partnership between Aberdeenshire Council, Aberdeen City Council, Moray Council, Police Scotland, Scottish Ambulance Service, NHS Grampian and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, who yesterday welcomed the crucial funding for 2016.
Nexen Petroleum UK has come forward as the main sponsor of this year’s event, alongside Suncor, an integrated energy company.
Digby Brown Solicitors continue as sponsors and two local firms have also come on board – hauliers ARR Craib Transport and metal recyclers the John Lawrie Group, whose operations include a facility in Montrose.
The new backers have come on board as a result of a successful plea for support made earlier this year.
Aberdeenshire Community Safety Partnership chair Douglas Milne said: “It’s really hard to state the impact this show has on those who see it and even if we’ve only saved the life of one driver, passenger or pedestrian over the years, I know it’s been worth all the effort and emotion which goes into this show.”
