This in from the office of Andrew Turner, in their own words. Ed
The meeting is intended to be the first step towards setting up a road safety charity following a meeting between the family of Evey Staley, who tragically lost her life at the age of 10 in a road traffic accident two years ago and the Island’s MP Andrew Turner.
Evie’s father, Neal Staley said:
“My involvement with the Purple Ribbon Drink Drive campaign has helped me to gain some positives from losing Evey, to a drunk and drugged driver and although it will never outweigh the loss and grief I will always feel, it helps a little. To do the Christmas campaign wasn’t a difficult decision, I’ve another daughter and I know there’s no rule to say it can’t happen to us again. By stopping just one person from drink driving my rationale is that it could be Ellie I stop from being injured or, God forbid, killed. To prevent another family going through what we have endured over the past 20 months makes it all the more worthwhile.
“I’d felt for a while, considering the sadly devastating series of road traffic incidents on the Island recently, that I had something to use to help get a general road safety message across. Having spoken to various people about furthering the campaign it became clear the next step was to involve Andrew Turner and access the wider community. Thankfully we were able to meet and the idea was generated to get a group together and hopefully start a charity that will help to make Island roads and their users more considerate and safer. We seem to be at that point now and having had an incredibly positive response thus far we are a little closer to achieving our goal.”
Mr Turner added :
“Sadly far too many people have been bereaved due to accidents on Island roads and Evey’s family would like to set up a charity to campaign to improve road safety on the Island. Their bravery and resolve to do all they can to prevent such tragedy happening to others is inspiring and I will be supporting them in any way I can. I also know we will have the support of the local media, the police, Southern Vectis and a number of Isle of Wight councillors as we move forward.”
If you are unable to attend the meeting but are interested in supporting a campaign in any capacity please call Mr Turner’s office on 01983 530808 or email [email protected] to ensure that you are kept informed of developments.
