Llandulas schoolboy wins national safer cycling competition

21/06/2012

helmet winner An eight year old boy is celebrating after using his head to win a major competition.

Nathan Ward, a pupil at Ysgol Llandulas was presented with a Magnext podium Case V2 game after taking part in The Bicycle Helmet Initiative Trust's Helmet Watch via a safety scheme led by Flintshire Neighbourhood Watch Association.

He joined over 1,000 other young people who participated in many events throughout the year, including the North Wales Police Roadshow and schemes working with local neighbourhood policing teams and schools. The campaign recognised young people for wearing their cycle helmets while riding their bikes.

Nathan, from Colwyn Bay, was the Wales regional winner and was presented with his prize before the whole school, at an awards ceremony held at his school last week.

Among the guests were Rt Hon Lord Barry Jones, President of Flintshire Neighbourhood Watch Association, Lady Janet Jones, Chief Inspector Darren Wareing of North Wales Police, Mrs Faulkner Trustee of FNWA., Nathan’s parents and elder brother, Matt, former Councillor Brenda Taylor and past head teacher Sharon Davies, Police School Liaison Officer John Wheway with FNWA mascot PCHUG.

Lord Jones said: "We are very proud to have been helping promote and provide to local people for the past three years a valuable community service that highlights the need for safer cycling practices aimed at those who are most at risk - children and young people."

Headteacher, Mr Paul Davies said: “The campaign reinforces the important message to schools about keeping safe when cycling and we are delighted that Nathan, a pupil at Ysgol Llanddulas, has been recognised for keeping safe and wearing a helmet when riding his bike.”

NWP Chief Inspector, Darren Wareing said: “ I am really pleased to be able to support such a worthwhile campaign.

“Casualty reduction is at the heart of policing and it is especially important that we work with our communities to engage young people and have them positively supported.

“Wearing a helmet when cycling really does make a difference and we are keen for youngsters to get into the habit as soon as they start cycling. It was great to see such a worthy winner. Nathan is a credit to his family and Ysgol Llanddulas.”

Helmet Watch is the brainchild of The Bicycle Helmet Initiative Trust, a registered charity that aims to reduce the number of children killed and seriously injured every year in cycling accidents by promoting the use of cycle helmets, high visibility clothing, bike lights and cycle training.

Angela Lee, the Trust's founder and Chief Executive, said: "Too often youngsters are criticised for doing the wrong thing. Helmet Watch rewards good behaviour and I would like to congratulate Nathan."

Every year the police throughout the UK hand out 30,000 Helmet Watch reward packs to children aged between 3 and 15 who they see wearing a cycle helmet. Each pack contains an on-the-spot prize, a bookmark and a prize draw card. This year the scheme was sponsored by Warburton's.