Wellingtonians are being encouraged to wear something orange this Friday to help support the work of school road safety patrol teams in the Capital.
More than 900 primary and intermediate pupils from 34 schools in the Wellington to Linden area are parading from Parliament to Civic Square to celebrate the critical role patrols have in helping children safely negotiate pedestrian crossings outside school gates.
The annual ‘Orange Day’ parade is organised by Wellington City Council road safety staff and Wellington Area police education officers to recognise the valuable contribution patrol teams have in raising safety awareness outside schools. The celebration is also supported by McDonalds Family Restaurants who with road safety ambassador Ronald McDonald help police with the school road safety education programme.
Friday’s parade leaves Parliament forecourt at 10am and travels along Lambton Quay, Willis and Mercer Streets to Civic Square. The children will be escorted along the route by police patrol cars, motorbikes and Ronald McDonald.
Deputy Mayor Alick Shaw will welcome the patrols to the old Town Hall where the children will be entertained by road safety rappers Ete and Tofiga, the Extreme Dance Company cheerleaders and break-dancers Praise and Stepkingz.
Senior Constable Roly Hermans, Wellington Police youth education officer, says parade interest is at an all-time high. Students have been encouraged to dress in vivid orange clothes, wigs or face paint and there’s a prize at stake for the school making the best orange ‘splash’ of colour.
There’s also a prize, to be presented by Councillor Celia Wade-Brown, for the school with the best banner with a road safety message.
"The parade is an opportunity for police, the council and the public to thank the patrols for the work they do," he says. "It’s a fun day with a serious message.
"These young people do a fantastic job in helping ensure the safety of their peers and it’s not always appreciated by other road users.
"Support Orange Day but most of all support the school patrols in your community. When the signs go out, make sure you stop and obey the patrol’s instructions. "
Ends