This International Women’s Day, it’s a bittersweet moment for us at RoadPeace, the national charity for road crash victims. We are bidding farewell to a much-loved and key member of our team, Sara Dowling, who has dedicated an incredible 15 years of her life to our cause.

Sara, our Deputy CEO, is embarking on a new journey as the CEO of Why Me?, a restorative justice charity. While we are sad to see her go, we are immensely proud of her accomplishments and the impact she has made during her time with us.

Sara joined RoadPeace in November 2008, initially working one day a week as the Road Danger Reduction Officer. Her passion for reducing road harm and supporting crash victims, soon became evident as she delved into our lorry danger reduction campaign, collaborating with other organisations and spearheading the development of the See Me Save Me website. During this time, Sara played a pivotal role in organising numerous vigils, amplifying the voices of those affected by road crashes.

In 2011, Sara transitioned to a full-time role and took on a variety of responsibilities across campaigns, communications, development and income generation. Her versatility and leadership skills were further demonstrated when she shifted her focus to membership and income generation in 2016.

Sara eventually established the RoadPeace regional legal panel and oversaw significant growth in community fundraising – a testament to her strategic vision and dedication.

One of Sara’s most notable achievements was her role in developing and embedding the RoadPeace Challenge within our organisation. This initiative not only raised awareness but also mobilised support for our cause, empowering individuals to take meaningful action towards road safety.

Now in its fourth year, the event has already raised £140,000 for RoadPeace and the event has the full backing of the National Police Chiefs’ Council and the National Fire Chiefs’ Council.

During her RoadPeace career, Sara secured funding for several critical projects, including the West Mercia project, the London victims support project funded by TFL and MOPAC, and the Reaching Communities project, which aims to strengthen local groups and amplify victims’ voices.

Her efforts, such as the creation of speeding films and the London Victim Voice project, have had a profound impact on our advocacy work, bringing attention to the human toll of reckless driving.

As Sara bids farewell to RoadPeace, we extend our heartfelt gratitude for her tireless dedication, unwavering advocacy and invaluable contributions to our charity. While we will miss her dearly, we know that she will continue to make a difference in her new role at Why Me? – inspiring positive change and championing justice for all.

Nick Simmons, CEO of RoadPeace, the national charity for road crash victims, said:

Join us in celebrating Sara Dowling – a remarkable woman, whose passion and commitment will leave an indelible mark on the road danger reduction community. We wish her every success in her future endeavours and thank her for being an inspiration to us all.

As a RoadPeace member, Sara will remain in close contact with her colleagues and will always have a special place in her heart for RoadPeace and the vital role it plays in supporting bereaved families and road crash victims.

Updated on: 8 March 2024