Safety Restored to School Crossing with Help of Foresters UK Sponsorship
A GBP2,500 sponsorship means that children attending a primary school on a busy Kent road without a manned patrol will soon be able to cross safely again - thanks to the support of Foresters UK.

KENT, ENGLAND, January 14, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ -- A GBP2,500 sponsorship means that children attending a primary school on a busy Kent road without a manned patrol will soon be able to cross safely again - thanks to the support of Foresters UK.

The international financial services organisation - whose UK head office is in Bromley, Kent - has sponsored the school crossing patrol at the C of E Primary School in London Lane, also in Bromley.

This is following the announcement from Bromley Council in February last year that it is axing funding to lollipop patrols all over the borough in a bid to make savings of GBP233,000 a year.

While the Council has agreed to still maintain and insure the school crossings, schools will either need to find salaries for lollipop staff themselves - or have an unmanned patrol.

A lollipop patrol salary costs GBP5,000 a year to run and the Foresters' sponsorship means that the school will only need to provide the other GBP2,500 in order to have a manned crossing.

The school - which dates back to 1716 and is the oldest London Borough of Bromley educational establishment - has not had a patrol since the start of the school year after their lollipop lady left.

Foresters were alerted to the situation by one of their members whose granddaughter attends the school - and stepped in to help.

Foresters UK Membership Director Steve Dilworth said: "We strive to improve the community in which we operate and in which our members live.

"We do understand that the council has to look at how they spend their money. We think, however, this is a very important cause. It is at the very heart of safety for children and families."

Talking to the local press, Hilary Richardson, Head teacher at the school, commented: "It's marvellous there's a company out there willing to be in the community and to guarantee the children's safety.

"The school is on a busy road so it's not great we haven't had anyone there this year. Parents have been sensible about it but it has caused disappointment."

He added: "It's such an important service for the community and for the safety of our children."

Currently, only 28 out of the 48 schools in the Borough have been able to commit to funding their own school patrols.

Press Release Contact Information:

Steve Dilworth
Foresters UK Ltd
UK Membership Director
Foresters House
Bromley, Kent
UK BR2 9JF
Voice: 0208 628 3400
Website: Visit Our Website