ISSUe 285 - First News

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10 FirstNews Issue 285 18 – 24 november 2011 SPECIAL REPORT by Ellie Pearson from Brake For more big issues, pictures and videos go to www.firstnews.co.uk/discover Road Safety Week 21–27 November is Road Safety Week, when people across the UK take action to help make our roads safer for everyone. Schools, communities and organisations take part by running activities to teach people how to use roads safely, and to raise funds to help support people who have been injured or lost a loved one in a road crash. The event is coordinated by Brake, a national road safety charity. Why road safety matters We all use roads. Whether it’s walking or getting a bus to school, cycling to the park or being driven to the shops by an adult, these are all part of our everyday lives. Brake is a charity that believes we should all be able to use roads safely, without being in danger. We especially believe kids should be able to walk and cycle in their neighbourhood, because it’s good for your health, it doesn’t harm the environment like driving does, and it’s fun. Sadly, kids are often put in danger when they use roads, perhaps because there aren’t enough safe pavements and cycle paths, or because the traffic goes too fast. It’s terrible, but true, that some kids are hurt or even killed when they use roads, because it isn’t safe enough. Every day in the UK 56 kids are hurt on roads, some of them very badly. Older teenagers also face big dangers when they get old enough to start learning Don’t let it be you WALK SMART look up when crossing We CYCLE SMART wear a helmet RIDE SMART no lifts from speed freaks Road Safety Week A campaign by Supported by Part of Brake stopping the carnage supporting the victims www.brake.org.uk If you are old enough to ride in the dark, make sure you can be seen to drive, or if they get lifts with their friends who drive. Young drivers are often involved in terrible road crashes, because they don’t have much driving experience, and sometimes because they show off behind the wheel. What Brake is doing Brake knows we can stop road crashes and prevent kids, teenagers and adults getting hurt or killed. We work to help schools teach road safety to kids and teenagers, so you know what you can do to keep yourself as safe as possible. We run campaigns telling drivers to drive safely. We try to persuade drivers to never drink and drive and never use a mobile phone at the wheel. We tell them how important it is for kids’ safety to slow down to 20mph near schools and homes. We also campaign for the authorities to make roads safer, for example, by putting in more crossings, safe pavements and cycle paths, and more 20mph zones in towns and villages. Looking at your mobile phone while crossing means you won’t see the car that hits you Never cycle without your helmet What you can do Thousands of schools, community groups and companies are taking action during Road Safety Week. You can too. So why not: get your class or school to make a road safety display, reminding kids how to stay safe ask your teacher to hold a non-uniform day for Brake, where everyone wears bright clothes to remind them to be bright, be seen and to raise funds for Brake (a Brake Bright Day!) remind your parents not to speed, use a phone when driving (even hands-free!) or drink any alcohol before driving make sure you know the Green Cross Code, use it year-round, and remind your friends to use it too. It could save a life. Steven’s memory Steven Atkinson was just 12 when he was killed by a speeding young driver. Steven was knocked off his bike while crossing the road. Steven’s mum, Violet, is supporting Road Safety Week 2011 and calling for all drivers to drive safely to help protect themselves and other people. FIND OUT MORE? Learn more about Road Safety Week at www.roadsafetyweek.org.uk.
FirstNews Issue 285 18 – 24 november 2011 ANIMAL NEWS when little Okanda, a six-month-old gorilla, was separated from his mother, zoo vet Sarah Chapman took on the role of mum. Poor Okanda’s mother could not provide enough nutrients in her milk for him, so he began to get poorly. It was up to zoo vet Sarah Chapman to take over and act as surrogate mum for the gorilla. In order for a successful reunion between mother and son, Chapman has been instructed by Twycross Zoo, Leicestershire, to impersonate his mother, by grunting at him and grooming him whenever she handles him. Luckily this strategy has been a success, and Okanda is going from strength-to-strength, building up a strong body and cheery personality. When Okanda first arrived at the zoo’s hospital, he was put on a drip and fed through a tube. Since then, he has been fed powdered milk and, over the past few days, been introduced to solid foods. Sharon Redrobe, director of life sciences at the zoo, said that she is pleased with his progress. 11 For more animal news, pictures and videos go to www.firstnews.co.uk/news Yummy mummy Words: Lucy Kroll. Pictures: Twycross Zoo Swan asbos! A swan in West Wales has been nicknamed Hannibal by residents of Pembroke, after a reign of terror that left 15 other birds dead and dozens injured. Hannibal and his partner, Mrs Hannibal, have lived with their cygnet in Castle Pond by Pembroke Castle since February. So, when other swans accidentally come into their territory from the nearby Mill Pond, which is separated by a bridge and barrage, Hannibal attacks them. Maria Evans, a volunteer bird rescuer, said: “Mrs Hannibal blocks off the escape routes while he attacks them. Then they take the baby to view the kill, while mum and dad do a triumphant, wings-up celebration.” When possible, Mrs Evans rescues attacked birds and rehabilitates them in her rescue centre. She has even applied for a licence from the Countryside Council of Wales to have the swan family removed. Kiwi stones what a tummyache! The only known white kiwi has had a big stone removed from her stomach in New Zealand. Tiny Manukura is a five-month-old rare white kiwi. She was following her normal routine of swallowing the odd small stone to help her digest her food, when she came into a spot of bother. When keepers at New Zealand’s Pukaha Mount Bruce wildlife centre found that she had lost her appetite, they thought they should investigate. They did a quick X-ray on her stomach and found two stones that were far bigger than the usual pea-sized ones. Manukura managed to pass one by going to the loo, but the second stone was just too big! Vets at Wellington Hospital used lasers to break it up, before operating to remove it. Thankfully, this lucky young bird, who is a North Island brown kiwi, is said to be recovering well after her ordeal. Doggy drive A LONELY dog, who hated being left alone while his owners went out motorbiking, has been given a novel way to be included in their hobby. Harley, a 17-month-old St Bernard, travels with his owners Alan and Tina Valkeith in the sidecar of their motorbike. They decided to travel with him by their side, so that he wouldn’t get lonely when they went out. He wears a special doggy helmet, harness and goggles, so that he is secure and protected from the wind and sun. This solution came as Alan and Tina realised they could no longer go out on their motorbikes together, as one of them had to stay at home to keep Harley company. “Buying the bike with a sidecar seemed like the ideal solution,” Mr Valkeith said, “and Harley loves it!”
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ISSUe 285 - First News

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