In 2014 six-year-old Bobby Colleran died after being struck by a van outside his school in Liverpool and now the charity set up in his name launches new video to push the road safety message to other children. Tony McDonough reports
Liverpool charity the Bobby Colleran Trust has launched a new animated video to promote a powerful road safety message to children across the UK.
In 2014 six-year-old Bobby Colleran died after being struck by a van outside his school in West Derby in Liverpool while walking with his mother Joanne Colleran. Heartbroken Joanne channelled her grief into launching the trust to prevent other similar tragedies.
She has dedicated the past decade to try to make roads safer for children and now the trust has launched an animated road safety video, narrated by Liverpool-born radio presenter Leanne Campbell, that will be shown to schoolchildren across the country.
It was launched at an event at the Hope Street Hotel in Liverpool which was attended by long-standing supporters, business stakeholders, sponsors, civic leaders, charitable partners, and media guests.
This animation delivers clear, engaging and memorable road safety messages for young audiences. The project was funded by Swarco and L&R Roadlines, whose support made the film possible.
Joanne said: “We are overwhelmed by the support shown at the launch. Bobby’s legacy continues to inspire change, and this animation will allow us to share his message far beyond Merseyside. Together, we can save children’s lives.”
Guests at the launch celebrated the milestone achievement, reflecting on how far the Trust has come since introducing the now-familiar ‘Bobby Zones’ outside schools. The animated film marks the trust’s first national initiative.
It is calling on schools, local authorities and businesses to join the campaign in rolling out the video nationwide.
Speaking in 2024 on the 10th anniversary of Bobby’s death, Joanne said: “Everyone thinks their children are perfect, but he was just the most perfect little boy.
“He kind of had everything. I always say he was so handsome and he was so funny, he had the most funniest little character, but he was really caring.
“And I think that’s one of the things that keeps me going all the time because I know he would want me to be making a difference out there.”