Pupils at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School in Newbury have received a donation of hi-vis vests from David Wilson Homes to help them shine bright during Road Safety Week. The Hungerford-based housebuilder has given the school 35 vests for its pupils to wear whilst walking to and from school, ensuring they can be easily seen on the roads as the darker nights draw in.
Road Safety Week takes place from 14th to 20th November and inspires thousands of schools, organisations and communities to take action on road safety and promote life-saving messages during the week and beyond. The theme for this year’s campaign is ‘Safe Roads for All’, which highlights that every life on the road matters, and every death and injury is preventable.
According to figures from the 2021 National Travel Survey (NTS) and 2020-2021 Active Lives Survey (ALS), the number of children walking or cycling to school is falling. In 2021, 46% of children aged between five and 16 walked or cycled to school, a decrease from 50% in 2020. David Wilson Homes aims to help children safely commute to school on foot and supports the Government’s Cycling and Walking Investment Strategy, which features a target to increase the percentage of children that usually walk to school to 55% in 2025.
Kelly Bosher, Headteacher at St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School and Nursery, said: “We are very grateful to David Wilson Homes for the wonderful donation of 35 hi-vis vests. The safety and wellbeing of our children is always our priority and they were delighted to receive them.”
The homebuilder’s //www.dwh.co.uk/new-homes/dev000658-the-chase-@-newbury-racecourse/">Newbury Racecourse and Donnington Heights developments are located close to St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School and the donation of hi-vis vests is part of David Wilson Homes’ ongoing commitment to the local community.
Campbell Gregg, Managing Director at David Wilson Homes Southern, said: “We want to ensure the pupils in the local communities remain visible now the darker nights are here, and our donation will hopefully still encourage them to walk to school safely during Road Safety Week. This is a campaign we actively support each year as we endeavour to help local school children in their efforts to commute on foot, and the vests have proven to be both effective and practical.”
David Wilson Homes’ hi-vis vests will be particularly useful during Road Safety Week, whilst being certain to benefit the pupils in their future journeys to school throughout the winter months.
