I grew up on the same block as my primary school. I never needed to cross the road, but we always spoke to the lollipop ladies when we passed them each day. My mum still lives in the same house and my daughter attends my old school, so often, her walk to school is the same as mine was. I recently moved about ten minutes away, so we have to drive in.
The lollipop people from my day have long retired now, but my daughter knew the lollipop people who replaced them. Her favourite was the lollipop man who worked on the gate near where we sometimes park if we’re running late, she has fond memories of how he once dressed up as a pirate for their class project, but recently crossing patrol cover have dwindled.
The lady who took care of the other gate left her job last year but wasn’t replaced, and for many weeks our favourite part-time pirate hasn’t been there either, leaving the responsibility for road safety in the hands of the parents and hoping drivers will be sensible.
Drivers are taking liberties now there is nobody supervising road safety outside the school. Parents are parking on the double yellow lines and zig zags in the picture, causing traffic congestion and making it difficult for people to cross.
It would seem I am not the only experiencing lollipopless road crossing on the school run. According to research completed by Churchill, 32 percent of parents have noticed a lollipopper has been removed from their local area. Sadly, I expect it’s partly down to a legislation passed in 2000 that stated crossing patrol officers were no longer a legal requirement.
Churchill is trying to change this dwindling profession. They know how important is it for children and parents alike to feel safe when crossing the road at busy times, that’s why they have created the Churchill Lollipopper Fund. They are giving 50 schools the chance to receive funding for a Churchill lollipopper all of their own. I’ve already nominated my school, why don’t you nominate yours? Just click the link below.
https://www.churchill.com/lollipoppers
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I didnt know they were not a essential to a school crossing! Saying that, I walk past a my old primary school often enough and no longer see a lollipop man outside there either, so that makes sense now.
Luckily my children’s school has a very enthusiastic lollipopman lol. I shall definitely make people aware of this.
I know, it’s terrible, isn’t it? But explains where they’re all disappearing to!
Yes please share, it’s a great cause x