Humber Police Lifestyle Award Winners, The Patrington Champions, visited local MP Graham Stuart in the Houses of Parliament as part of their prize of a trip to London.
Squeezing a visit to Parliament and their MP in between trips to the Tower of London and Hamleys, the young group of road safety campaigners were given a behind-the-scenes look at Parliament before a meeting with Graham to discuss their campaign again.
The Patrington Champions is a group of five friends, Nathan, Florence, Archie, Molly and River who care greatly about road safety around Patrington Primary School and access to the school being blocked by parked cars.
The friends created posters and unofficial parking tickets which they put on windscreens to raise awareness. Because of their actions, cars are no longer regularly parking outside the school, allowing pupils to access their school safely.
The Patrington Champions have strengthened their friendship through the project and, as they prepare to leave Patrington Primary for Withernsea High School they leave a lasting, positive legacy in Patrington.
Graham is a long-standing supporter of the Patrington Champions, and road safety in general. He sent them certificates over the summer and has visited the school twice.
Graham Stuart, Member of Parliament for Beverley and Holderness, commented, “People came up to the Patrington Champions and said that five children won’t make a difference to parking, no chance!
“What’s extraordinary is that five children came together during the summer holidays, worked together and actually made roads safer.
“Having met them on several occasions, I’m proud to say that this extraordinary group of children really has made a difference, and I wish them the best of luck in their last few months at Patrington Primary – a better place because of the Patrington Champions!”
Archie, Patrington Champion said, “Everyone is all about safety, and I think we made a difference to everyone at Patrington Primary.”
Nathan said, “The parking tickets were very effective. People don’t really listen unless you put it right in front of their faces!”
Molly said “I really enjoyed making the road safer and we’ve become much better friends after doing this!”
