National Lollipopper Awards 2016 launched

Don Frain, a 'lollipop' man on Whitworth Road

The National Lollipopper Awards 2016, to honour and celebrate Lollipop men and women throughout the UK, have been launched by Alison Hammond and Churchill Insurance.

The news of the natioal awards comes as controversy rages locally due to the Council proposing to force schools to meet the costs of school crossing patrols: 

• http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/105700

Ms Hammond, mother to eleven-year old, Aidan, officially announced nominations as open for parents and school children to nominate their Lollipopper across four award categories: 

• Over and Above – the dedicated Lollipopper that goes beyond the call of duty to help children, parents, their school and the local community
• Bravest – for the Lollipopper that has shown courage and bravery on the crossing – Super Lollipopper 
• Entertainer – for the Lollipopper that always puts a smile on everyone's face – the life and soul of the crossing
• Kindest – for the Lollipopper with the biggest heart – generous, kind, caring and always on the crossing with a smile

Nominations will be open until Thursday 17 November giving parents and children the chance to tell Churchill why their local Lollipopper should win one of the special awards.

The three Lollipoppers with the most nominations for each award category will go on to make up a shortlist of 12 before the winner of each is selected by the award's panel of esteemed judges – Churchie, Alison Hammond, PTA executive director Emma Williams, Mike Bristow of road safety charity Brake and Mumsnet co-founder Carrie Longton – and announced on National Lollipopper Day (Tuesday 29 November).

There will also be a fifth title up for grabs with one of the four winners also being selected as Lollipopper of the Year.

Each of the winners will claim a bespoke Churchill Lollipopper Awards trophy as well as a £500 holiday voucher to treat themselves to a well-deserved break during the school holidays.

At the awards launch, Alison Hammond said: "Having previously done the primary school run with my son, Aidan, and then having the confidence to allow him to go on his own was completely down to his Lollipopper being on hand – it’s so important for me and parents around the UK to know their child is safe on the school crossing.

"As well as keeping them safe, they are also a constant presence in children and parent's lives during their time at primary school - someone who witnesses your children grow up and that you interact with every day. I've always wanted to thank and reward my son's Lollipopper for being so great, so I'm sure there are other parents and children that will want to celebrate theirs too!"

Mike Bristow, of charity Brake, added: "Lollipoppers play such an important role in protecting children throughout the UK, so it’s fantastic that Churchill Insurance has given parents and children the opportunity to celebrate them."

The National Lollipopper Awards are part of Churchill Insurance's drive to improve safety on the school crossing by deploying more of the iconic crossing wardens. The campaign follows research by Road Safety Analysis in 2016 that half (55 per cent) of accidental child pedestrian casualties occur during the school run.

Lucy Brooksbank, head of marketing at Churchill, added: "Whilst we have been looking to improve safety on the school crossing by deploying more Lollipoppers, we also wanted to celebrate those that are already on the crossing for the incredible job they do day in, day out. By launching the awards, we want to reward those Lollipoppers that make a difference to parents and children every day."

Join in and give your local Lollipopper the recognition they deserve by nominating at:

• www.churchill.com/lollipoppers/awards