Schoolchildren learn about road safety with charity founded by grieving mother whose son was killed

  • Bobby Colleran Trust road safety video


Schoolchildren are being taught about road safety with the help of a charity founded by a grieving mother whose son was killed while walking home from school.

Bobby Colleran, six, from Huyton, on on Merseyside, died when he stepped into the road between parked cars on his way home from school with his mum and brothers.

Friday 24 October 2025 marks 11 years since Bobby died when he was hit by a van.

Friday 24 October marks eleven years since Bobby died when he was hit by a van. Credit: ITV News

His mum Joanne Colleran says "Bobby knew about road safety", but spotted a friend and it was too late for the driver to stop.

For over a decade, Joanne has been taking her charity 'Bobby Colleran Trust' into schools but also wants to help educate their parents.

St Margaret Mary's Catholic Junior School are piloting a new e-learning video created by Joanne who says: "I just think it's so important that schools are safe with the 20mph zone, the pavement parking, children are really small and they should be able to go to and from school safely," she said.

"He knew about road safety and I think that is what spears me on a lot because he knew about road safety and a child is a child, aren't they."

Joanne takes the super Bobby campaign across schools on Merseyside. Credit: ITV News

Joanne believes that if drivers are going slower, there's more of a chance that they have enough time to break.

"The parking also had a lot to do with Bobby, with the visibility, because when the cars are all over the payment, they can't see if a child does run out."

She added: "For a child we learn as much as we can the basics, but just be careful by roads to let them know that there are dangers out there and also to help the parents too."

"I carry on and do this because my little boy should be here and the way the parents are parking outside of schools had a lot to do with it."

Colleran family photo Credit: Family photo

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