A hard-hitting road safety show which has helped inform generations of young people across Grampian is looking for sponsors to help it continue.
Safe Drive Stay Alive has been attended by all senior school pupils in the North-east of Scotland for the last eleven years.
The hard-hitting stage show features real life testimony from the emergency services who regularly deal with road collisions and from members of the public whose lives have been affected by road collisions in an extreme and profound way.
It leaves a lasting impression on all who see it, with the intention of cutting the level of death and injury which is seen on local roads.
Tens of thousands of young people about to learn to drive, or who have already passed their test, have benefitted from support by kind sponsors over the years.
Following the withdrawal of Petrofac as sponsors in 2015 after nine years and notice from ExxonMobil that they are no longer in a position to assist, Safe Drive Stay Alive would like to hear from other community-minded businesses or individuals.
ExxonMobil has been a sponsor of the Safe Drive Stay Alive programme in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray since it began in 2004.
Digby Brown Solicitors remain as sponsors, but their generous contribution does not cover the whole cost of the event.
Chairman of Aberdeenshire Community Safety Partnership, Douglas Milne, said: “It’s really hard to state the impact this show has on those who see it and even if we’ve only saved the life of one driver, passenger or pedestrian over the years, I know it’s been worth all the effort and emotion which goes into this show.
“So many people give their time, expertise and experience, sometimes traumatic, to make this show as effective as it is, but we still need to cover a number of costs to keep it running.
“We think there is a community minded business or individual in the local area who cares enough about the issues this show deals with to give us some support in a time of financial austerity for many.
“Petrofac and Exxonmobil sponsored the event for many years, donating tens of thousands of pounds, making a huge impact on the local community and we will be forever grateful for that.”
This year’s show will see another 5,000 pupils from Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire and Moray bussed to the Beach Ballroom in Aberdeen to see the show in November.
A free evening show for the general public is also held every year.
By combining real life experiences with an emotive film, the show leaves the audience in little doubt how a mistake or lapse in concentration can change lives forever.
Safe Drive Stay Alive Aberdeen is a partnership between Aberdeenshire Council, Aberdeen City Council, Moray Council, Police Scotland, Scottish Ambulance Service, NHS Grampian and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.
Digby Brown Solicitors Partner, Lisa Gregory, said: “Driving safety is a big concern for many communities in Scotland and the live production is a unique way of engaging young people in such an important issue – we’re proud to be part of it.”
For more information about sponsoring Safe Drive Stay Alive or to have a conversation about how you could contribute, in the first instance please email sdsa@aberdeenshire.gov.uk