Keeping Newry school children safe on the streets

Children in Newry will be more visible when they are out and about, thanks to their local Specsavers store.

Schools across Newry have been taking part in a Specsavers colouring in competition for primary 1 – 7 pupils. Winners in their age category have received high visibility vests for their class and art materials for themselves. Schools include Rathore School and St Clare’s Abbey Primary School.

This Road Safety Week, Specsavers Newry has teamed up with road safety charity, Brake, to encourage people to ‘step up for safe streets’.

As well as encouraging drivers to have their eyes checked to ensure they are safe to drive, Specsavers is also donating high-visibility vests to schools and community groups across the country to help make sure children are seen as the days get darker.

Sharon Fegan, store director at Specsavers Newry says: ‘We’re proud to be teaming up with Brake to try and make our roads safer. With the days getting darker, these vests will help make sure children are visible when they are out on the roads. This Road Safety Week we also want to encourage drivers to “step up for safe streets” by having regular eye tests to make sure their eyesight is as good as it can be.’

Marie McNeany, from St Clare’s Abbey Primary School adds: ‘We are delighted that our pupils have been selected for the Specsavers colouring in competition. These vests will be really useful for our pupils when they are out on school trips/ out and about, especially in the darker winter months, so I’d like to thank Specsavers for the generous donation. 

Joshua Harris, Director of Campaigns from Brake, says: ‘Every 20 minutes, someone on a British road is killed or seriously injured. Every death or serious injury on the road is preventable and that’s why we’re asking everyone to “Step up for safe streets” this Road Safety Week. We’re delighted to partner with Specsavers as good eyesight is so important for road safety, whatever mode of transport you use to get around.

School children are some of our most vulnerable road users and so it’s fantastic to see Specsavers partnering with local schools this Road Safety Week’.