Young children across Rhondda Cynon Taf are being urged to Stop, Look and Listen before they cross the road as part of an important campaign being fronted by local star Sophie Evans.
The simple yet effective – and lifesaving – campaign has been launched by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Road Safety Team in a bid to ensure younger residents stay safe and sound when they are out and about.
Determined to ensure it applied to young people, star Sophie – set to take to the stage of the West End as Dorothy in Sir Lloyd-Webber’s musical adaptation of The Wizard of Oz – was approached and immediately agreed to be the face of the campaign.
After winning hearts with her performances on Over the Rainbow – the TV search for Dorothy, Sophie has fast become a household name across RCT and beyond and is a personality that young people look up to.
Her performances on television also brought families together on a Saturday evening, which is a crucial element of Stop, Look and Listen, with mums, dads, grandparents, big brothers and sisters and carers all being urged to help by teaching the green cross code.
Sophie joined local dignitaries and representatives from partner agencies to officially launch Stop, Look and Listen across RCT this weekend.
She said: “I was so pleased to be asked to support such an important campaign. I know from my experiences just how caring people in RCT can be towards each other and I hope, through Stop, Look and Listen, they can show just how much they care by passing on safety lessons to our younger residents and making sure they stay safe when the cross the road.
“The campaign has such a simple message, but it is such an important one also.”
Cllr Andrew Morgan, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Road Safety, added: “Firstly, we have to say a huge thanks to Sophie for agreeing to be the face of our campaign and taking time out of her busy schedule to do what she can to help keep younger residents safe.
“We are proud of the work the Road Safety Unit has done to bring Stop, Look and Listen to fruition, but also know the campaign would not be a reality without the support it has secured from the Welsh Assembly Government.
“Its future success now depends on the support of partner agencies and, importantly, the community, to spread and enforce the Stop, Look, Listen message.”
