RoadPeace traffic safety fundraising challenge beats target

Supporters collectively walked and cycled nearly 10 times further than 1,766-mile goal
By David Arminas May 23, 2024 Read time: 2 mins
Challenge brings together emergency services, bereaved families, businesses, schools and communities 'in a united stand against road death and injury' (image: RoadPeace)

RoadPeace, a UK national charity for road crash victims, has reported that its fundraising RoadPeace Challenge 2024 this month has surpassed its miles-covered goal.

Supporters ran, cycled, walked – even rode horses and kayaked – to log 16,958 miles – nearly 27,300km - in just seven days. This far surpassed the original target of 1,766 miles (2,842km) set in honour of the 1,766 people killed in road crashes in the UK in 2022.

RoadPeace, the national charity for road crash victims, provides support to people bereaved or seriously injured in road crashes. It engages in evidence-based policy and campaigning work to fight for justice for victims.

The charity’s RoadPeace Challenge is an annual awareness-raising and fundraising week of action that takes place in May during United Nations Global Road Safety Week. Now in its fourth year, the event had already raised nearly €165,000 (£140,000) for RoadPeace and created considerable public awareness around road harm.

Hundreds of police officers, firefighters, safer roads partnerships, schools, businesses and communities took part in this year’s challenge, demonstrating incredible commitment and dedication, according to RoadPeace.

"This year, the RoadPeace Challenge truly became what it was set up to be, an event to bring together emergency services, bereaved families, businesses, schools and communities in a united stand against road death and injury,” said Nick Simmons, chief executive of RoadPeace. “The collective efforts and solidarity shown during the week of action highlight the importance of working together to create safer roads for everyone.”

“The RoadPeace Challenge 2024 has exceeded all of our expectations,” said Jo Shiner, chief constable of Sussex Police.

“We aimed to honour the 1,766 people who lost their lives on UK roads in 2022 by walking, running, cycling or horse riding 1,766 miles in seven days. Thank you to RoadPeace, who work tirelessly to support people bereaved or seriously injured in road crashes every day, of every week, on our roads,” said Shiner, who is also the National Police Chiefs’ Council Lead for Road Policing.

Many members of the group attended the RoadPeace Challenge finale event at the National Memorial Arboretum, in England's Staffordshire county on 19 May which provided an opportunity  to meet face-to-face for the first time and attend a special ceremony dedicated to their campaign.

The RoadPeace Challenge also helped to amplify the efforts of the Forget-me-not Families Uniting group, formed with the support of RoadPeace, in April. The group is now made up of more than 100 bereaved parents, who are campaigning together for Graduated Driving Licensing. RoadPeace strongly supports their campaign.

Donations can still be made in support of the RoadPeace Challenge 2024 here 

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