Liverpool, UK - A Liverpool mother’s decade-long mission too improve road safety for children has resulted in a new animated video launched by The Bobby Colleran Trust, a charity founded after the tragic death of her six-year-old son, Bobby. The trust’s work is credited with significantly raising awareness and implementing safety measures across Merseyside and beyond.
Bobby Colleran was struck by a van in a road accident outside Blackmoor Park Infant School in West Derby, Liverpool, in 2014 while walking with his mother, Joanne Colleran. Despite the devastating loss,Ms. Colleran channeled her grief into action, establishing The Bobby Colleran Trust to prevent similar tragedies.
The newly released animated road safety video, voiced by radio presenter Leanne Campbell, is intended for use in primary schools nationally. It builds on the trust’s early success with the “Slow Down for Bobby” campaign, which successfully advocated for the introduction of 20mph zones outside schools across Merseyside.
“I kind of look and I think, well, you know what, I’ve done my job as that’s what I set out to do,” Ms. Colleran said following the video’s launch. “I know Bobby would love it. He loved helping people,so he’s still doing it.”
The Bobby Colleran Trust is based near the site of the accident and also operates “Take Care for Bobby,” a child bereavement support service created after Bobby’s brothers, Harry, Frankie, and Georgie, required specialist counselling. Each year, the trust hosts “Wear Blue for Bobby Day” on March 13th, encouraging the public to wear blue in his memory.
Ms. Colleran reflected on the tenth anniversary of Bobby’s death last year, stating the tragedy “touched so many people” and ”coudl be any parent out there just going to school with their child.” She described Bobby as “the most perfect little boy,” adding, “Everyone thinks their children are perfect, but he was just the most perfect little boy…he was really caring. And I think that’s one of the things that keeps me going all the time becuase I know he would want me to be making a difference out there.”
Ms. Colleran believes her son continues to be involved in the safety work. “I always say he does it with me, he’s there with me making everyone safe.”
