Diamonds help spread priceless road safety message

Northamptonshire County Council’s road safety team sponsored Rushden & Diamonds' Nationwide Division Two football match against Bournemouth on 27 March. The event was part of the Think! sponsorship of football league games.

RSOs and other staff sported ‘Think! Road Safety!’ promotional sashes during the day and road safety messages were displayed on the electronic scoreboard as part of a general awareness initiative. Information packs were distributed among the crowd and one lucky child won a bicycle safety helmet and tabard.

During the half- time interval principal road safety officer Penny McCart presented Sally Gedney, head teacher of Earls Barton Junior School with a Road Safety Achievement Award (see pic). Sally has been pro-active in setting up five Walking Buses and has also introduced safe parking initiatives outside the school.

"The sponsorship was a fantastic opportunity for us to work together as a partnership," said Sue Hughes, Rushden & Diamonds commercial sales manager. "Football is very much a family sport and The Diamonds have a loyal fan base of all ages. We are happy to work with the road safety team to highlight road safety issues - we want to make sure our supporters remain aware of potential risks on the road."

The sponsorship deal also covers the 2004/5 season and the road safety team is already planning further promotions with the club and its players.

For further information contact Shirley Harrison, road safety officer on 01604 763438.