RoadPeace will be holding our annual Ceremony of Remembrance in person, for the first time since the Covid-19 pandemic started in 2020.
The event will take place at the RoadPeace Wood memorial, located at the National Memorial Arboretum, Alweras, Staffordshire, DE13 7AR
August was designated National Road Victim Month by RoadPeace after Diana, Princess of Wales was killed in a crash in 1997. She was killed on August 31st, the same day as the world’s first motor vehicle victim, Mary Ward, was killed in Ireland in 1869. Britain’s first road death also occurred in August, when Bridget Driscoll was killed in Crystal Palace on August 17th 1896, with the coroner pronouncing “this must never happen again”. Since then, well over half a million people have been killed on the roads in Britain, current figures reporting that five people are killed every day, and over 60 are seriously injured.
For the last 20 years, during this special month, RoadPeace has held a wonderful annual ceremony, which has brought people together to remember loved ones in the beautiful setting of the RoadPeace Wood at the National Memorial Arboretum.
To help commemorate our 20th year we would like to invite you to attend this annual gathering that brings families and friends together to remember all those killed on our roads. It is an opportunity to meet others who have been bereaved and visit the RoadPeace Wood, which serves as a memorial to all.
The ceremony will include:
- Music, readings and poems which will be read out by RoadPeace members
- An Act of Remembrance for all Road Crash Victims – including laying of flowers at our new memorial stone and reading of names of those who have been killed on our roads by members if the Central Motorway Police Group
RoadPeace Chair Petra Kendall-Raynor said: “It’s a privilege to honour our loved ones and all those affected by road crashes at the National Memorial Arboretum during RoadPeace’s 30th year. As we remember those we have lost, we continue to strive together towards the goal of zero road deaths and injuries.”
The RoadPeace helpline number is 0845 450 0355 and further information is available from www.roadpeace.org
– ENDS –
MEDIA OPPORTUNITY/PHOTOCALL:
TIME: 2:30pm
PLACE: The RoadPeace Wood at the National Memorial Arboretum, Alweras, Staffordshire, DE13 7AR
DATE: Saturday 13th August
EVENT: Our annual gathering that brings families and friends together to remember all those killed on our roads.
MEDIA CONTACTS
RoadPeace Office: 0207 733 1603; info@roadpeace.org
Sara Battey (Communications and Campaigns Manager): 020 3987 5196 or 07473 825242; sara.battey@roadpeace.org
Updated on: 17 August 2022