Best lollipop’ saluted in Renault’s competition

Renault UK has organised a competition inviting every UK primary school to nominate their school crossing patrol for the ‘best lollipop’ award in the year of the 50th anniversary of the crossing patrol service. The winner was announced at the Abbey Road zebra crossing made famous by the Beatles on the cover of their 1969 album.

Billy Fraser of Whitehouse Primary School, Co. Antrim was chosen from six regional winners as the national Renault ‘Safety Matters’ School Crossing Patrol of the Year. The panel of judges from Renault and LARSOA had their work cut out sifting through hundreds of nominations from schools all over the UK.

The winners were chosen for their professionalism and for their involvement in school activities outside the remit of their job, such as providing extra safety training.

"All entrants inspired huge affection and esteem among their charges," said Mandy Hopkins, public relations manager at Renault UK. "We chose Mr Fraser because of his great work and dedication and the fantastic nomination sent by his school. Every class in the school contributed to the entry, voting him top of the lollipops."

In addition to the credibility of being named the best crossing patrol, all six won £500 of holiday vouchers for a well-deserved break of their choice. Every pupil who contributed to the winning nominations will receive a Renault ‘Safety Matters’ goody bag.

The crossing patrols were joined at Abbey Road by space alien ‘Woosh’, known to thousands of UK children as the star of the video ‘The Adventures of Woosh’. The video forms part of Renault’s ‘Safety Matters’ road safety teaching pack used by 15,000 UK primary schools.

The six regional winners were:

• Scotland - Francis Kirk from Overtown Primary School in North Lanarkshire.
  
• Northern Ireland - Billy Fraser from Whitehouse Primary in Newtownabbey, Co. Antrim.
  
• North of England & Isle of Man - Harry Hayes from St. Marie’s Catholic Primary School in Kirkby, Merseyside.
  
• Midlands - Agnes Harrison from Wirksworth Junior School in Wirksworth, Derbyshire.
  
• South East and Channel Islands - Ann Stevens from Eton End Primary in Datchet, Berkshire
  
• South West and Wales - Carole Bradbury from Banwell Primary, Banwell, N. Somerset.

All schools that entered the competition will receive a certificate and a box of Celebrations courtesy of Masterfoods, as well as their entry to present to their school crossing patrol.

For further information call Mandy Hopkins on 01923 697 545 or log on to www.safetymatters.renault.co.uk.