The Stephen Gray Memorial Road Safety Award 2008

Road Safety Group PARC hoisted the first road safety flag on the night of the presentation of certificates in the competition initiated by Susan Gray Founder of PARC in memory of her late husband Steve. The Memorial Road Safety contest was held on 10th June 2008 in St. Boden’s National School--Culdaff, Inishowen, Co. Donegal. The other schools which submitted entries were: Scoil Mhuire--Gleneely, St. Columb’s--Moville, St. Patrick’s Boys School--Carndonagh and Scoil Naomh Fionan--Whitecastle. All five schools were presented with a PARC road safety flag.  The purpose of the competition which commemorates her late husband who was killed in a car crash on St. Stephen’s night 2004, was to raise awareness about road safety among the primary school children in Inishowen, Co Donegal. .......Hoisting the FIRST ROAD SAFETY FLAG Steve Gray, while he worked as a hackney driver, was also an accomplished artist. He worked with the children in some of these schools on a voluntary basis, teaching the children art and crafts and tutoring in the homework club. Present at the ceremony tonight were invited guests Sergeant James Collins, Jenny McLaughlin of the RSA, Mr Eamonn Brown--Road Safety Officer_Donegal and Mrs Ann Fogarty--PARC Wicklow. Thirty-four children received certificates and medals. The overall winner was Aine McLaughlin of Scoil Naomh Fionan--Whitecastle, who was presented with the Stephen Gray Perpetual Trophy. Her artwork sent out a clear message about the importance of wearing your seat belt. Children from junior infants to sixth class took part in the competition. Mr. Finbarr Gallagher and Mr. Ambrose McCreanor, teachers in the Carndonagh Community School, made the trophy. It depicts the Inishowen peninsula with a dove of peace. Susan Gray and Ann Fogarty from PARC were delighted with the interest shown in the competition, the high standard of the entries and the large turnout on the night. PARC’s aim is to have all schools in Co. Donegal involved in this competition in future years. The future of road safety lies in the education of the very young. We are delighted to learn that Gardai did a follow up on the 'Stephen Gray Memorial Road Safety Art Competition’ the day after our award ceremony--- in the schools that took part in our competition. Teachers had requested this at the beginning of the competition and PARC put forward their request to the Gardai in April so it was great news to hear that a Garda attended the schools on the 11th of June and included a demonstration of the breathalyser in their road safety programme.