Tragic death of Shane, five, inspires mass donation of hi vis vests to schoolchildren

Shane suffered fatal injuries in a crash while he was walking home from Winton primary School on December 13.

Now Mike Trimby, 41, whose own son Benjamin, four, has just started at the school, has acquired a huge haul of child-sized hi vis vests to ensure youngsters in the area have extra protection.

Mr Trimby had originally ordered the vests for his own employees at Town and County Dorset Ltd, but also received two child-sized garments which he gave to his son and daughter Jessica, two.

"I thought they looked cute, then I noticed that very few kids wear hi vis jackets," he said.

"If you go out early in the morning you see so many adults wearing them, and there are even hi vis dog leads and dog jackets, but not for kids. I thought it was a bit crazy."

It was only a short while after Mr Trimby came up with the idea to distribute the jackets in the area that Shane was killed, only a 100 yards or so from Mr Trimby's home in Limited Road.

"What happened to poor Shane really hit home, our kid is the same age.

As well as donating his own money to the new project, Mr Trimby contacted his firm's suppliers seeking donations, and he has now raised more than £1,100. Also, he has secured a deal with a hi vis supplier to get yellow, pink and orange jackets for only £1 each.

Last week the first load of 120 vests were handed out to youngsters at St Walburga's Primary School, and Mr Trimby says he has secured the backing of Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue to distribute more this weekend.

"They are running a road safety campaign for the winter months so it made sense to work together," he said.

"I am looking for any help and advice I can get as I have never done anything like this before."

The next hi vis handout will take place at Redhill Park Fire Station from 9am to 12 noon on Saturday, December 30.

Mr Trimby hopes to hold further events in future. If you can help contact him at townandcounty@live.co.uk