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World record attempt for Stonehaven pupils in road safety campaign

More than 1,000 Stonehaven primary school pupils will take part in a national road safety awareness event next week and attempt to set a new world record.

On Wednesday, June 15 pupils from Arduthie, Dunnottar and Mill O’Forest Primary Schools will join more than 100,000 children across the United Kingdom in a march to highlight road safety.

National charity Brake has organised the event and hope the combined total number of pupils taking part across the county will mean a new world record.

They want to achieve the largest simultaneous walking bus in multiple locations by children – which currently stands at 119,696.

Brake’s ‘Kids Say Slow Down’ campaign will see children march from their school at 10am as part of the Giant Walking Bus to the town’s Mineralwell Park.

The event aims to encourage drivers to slow down, raise awareness of the dangers of traffic and highlight the positive impact of walking.

Independent witnesses will observe the Stonehaven march for the Guinness Book of World Records as pupils countdown to 10am in their playgrounds before advancing on to the streets of the town.

Each school has been busy making banners and posters as well as learning chants and songs for their march to the park where they will meet up briefly before walking back along the same routes.

Chairman of Aberdeenshire Council’s Education, Learning and Leisure Committee, Cllr Richard Stroud, said: “This promises to be a fantastic event which will bring every Stonehaven primary school pupil together to highlight the importance of road safety to us all.

“Taking part in the march, which will be mirrored by thousands of other pupils across the country, is something to be proud of and I hope those who take part on the day take a great deal of satisfaction from that.”

Vice-chair of the committee, Cllr Isobel Davidson, added: “Road safety is one of the council’s key priorities and the sight of pupils marching through Stonehaven will send a very powerful message to road users and pedestrians alike.

“The schools have all done a wonderful job to prepare for this event and I commend them for their part in this national campaign to raise awareness.”

Claire Scott, deputy head teacher of Dunnottar Primary School, said: “This is an excellent opportunity for the three Stonehaven primaries to work together to promote road safety in and around our town.

“The event encourages drivers to slow down and is also a great opportunity to raise awareness of the charity Brake and the great work it does for victims and carers of those injured in road traffic accidents.

“Grampian Police has arranged for police officers and traffic wardens to be on patrol in the area during the marches and the pupils are very excited at the prospect of gaining entry in the Guinness Book of World Records. We’re all hoping for good weather on the day.”

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