Walking Bus co-ordinator in frame for national award

A Walking Bus parent coordinator has won a place in the finals of a national business competition, for her plans to design and sell stylish high visibility clothing for children.

Alison Holland is one of 12 finalists who will attend the handbag.com Barclays Business Plan Awards 2004 in London next month. Her business plan for BrightKidz high visibility clothing and accessories for children is entered in the category for 'Best Business Plan for Community and Environment' as well as for 'Best Overall Business Plan'. Category winners will receive £2,000 of business services vouchers and the overall winner will receive £10,000 of business services vouchers.

Earlier this year, Alison founded Safe Kids Walking, a not-for-profit social enterprise to promote walk to school initiatives and high visibility clothing for children.

"It all started when I set up a Walking Bus at the local school and the children had to wear high visibility clothing for insurance," Alison explains. "When I saw the children wearing their high-vis on the Walking Bus I realised all children would be safer walking or cycling to school if they wore it, especially when it is misty or rainy.

"To make it popular, children from the school helped Safe Kids Walking to develop the BrightKidz brand and re-design the products to include waistcoats in a range of fun colours, including pink, orange and green.

"Many people are aware that reflective materials are good for night-visibility when there is a light source to reflect," Alison adds. 'Safe Kids Walking wants to make children and parents aware of how effective fluorescent material is for daytime and near-dusk visibility, which is often when primary school children are coming home."

BrightKidz products are manufactured locally and on sale via the company website, www.brightkidz.co.uk. Salesincome helps to support work to help other schools set up Walking Bus schemes. Discounts are available for orders placed through schools or youth organisations.

For information on the Walking Bus and Safe Kids Walking visit www.safekidswalking.org.uk or contact Alison Holland, info@safekidswalking.org.uk, or 01536 454994.