STAY SAFE ... South Shields MP David Miliband with Harton Primary School pupils, who are wearing cycling helmets donated by brain injury charity Headway and Thompsons Solicitors.SOUTH Shields MP David Miliband has urged young cyclists to use their heads and stay safe.
Mr Miliband was at Harton Primary School in South Shields, where he encouraged pupils to wear cycle helmets when riding.
His talk came ahead of The Cycles (Protective Headgear for Children) Bill receiving its second reading in Parliament on November 4, which would make it compulsory for under-14s to wear a helmet when out on their bikes.
During last Friday’s visit to the East Avenue school, Mr Miliband handed out 30 cycle helmets, donated by Thompsons Solicitors in South Shields, which has teamed up with brain injury charity Headway.
Mr Miliband said: “Children love riding their bikes, but it is crucial that they protect themselves – and the way to do this is to wear a helmet.
“I am delighted that Headway and Thompsons have joined forces to donate potential life-saving helmets to the young people of Harton Primary School.”
Mr Miliband was joined on the visit by Alastair White, the North East regional co-ordinator for Headway, Miranda Barty-Taylor from the Child Brain Injury Trust, and Paul Brown and Mick Laffey from Thompsons Solicitors.
Mr White said: “If this action prevents just one child and family from suffering from the effects of brain injury, it will be a success.
“If the Bill is passed, we have no doubts it will save many lives.”
Paul Brown added: “We deal with many cases following road traffic accidents where children are seriously injured, and we see the devastating effects that brain injury can have on children and their families.
“We are therefore committed to raising awareness of brain injury, promoting road safety and reducing accidents.
“It is by undertaking awareness campaigns such as this, in partnership with the school, which will hopefully reduce the amount of brain injuries and fatalities on our roads.”
