KEY buildings in Liverpool are to be lit up in memory of a Wirral mum who "tirelessly campaigned" for road safety after losing her 18-year-old son.
Pauline Fielding MBE, mother to Andrew Fielding, was a trustee for RoadPeace, the national charity for road crash victims, for 26 years.
She fought for safer roads and better support for road crash victims after losing her son in 1994 in a crash caused by a driver who did not stay at the scene and who was never traced.
Andrew collected his exam results from Wirral Met on the morning of the crash, and found out that he would be going to Salford University in September.
When travelling on the A540 Chester High Road, approaching Neston at the junction with Raby Park Road, Andrew had to swerve to avoid a car which cut across his path.
Andrew died instantly due to chest injuries.
Campaigning for road safety
Every year Pauline co-ordinated RoadPeace's activities in the North West and organised its annual service on August 31 every year to remember Diana, Princess of Wales and all road crash victims.
Pauline sadly died in April 2023, but campaigned for safer roads across Merseyside and beyond until her death.
This year, as a mark of respect, the annual North West service has been cancelled.
Instead, Liverpool Town Hall, St George’s Hall and Merseyside Police headquarters will be lit up in purple in her memory tonight (Thursday, August 30).
St George's Hall (Image: Liverpool City Council)
Lord Mayor, Cllr Mary Rasmussen, said: "Pauline was a tireless campaigner for road safety and determined to make sure that the issue should be highlighted and that victims and their families should never be forgotten.
"I was extremely saddened to learn that she had passed away, and felt that it was right to do something to remember her incredible contribution over almost three decades."
Family statement
In a statement, Pauline’s family said: "We, the family of Pauline Fielding, are grateful to the Merseyside Road Safety Partnership, for choosing this tribute in honour of both Pauline and RoadPeace.
"Pauline was a long-standing member of the Merseyside Road Safety Partnership prior to her death in April 2023 and she was also the Coordinator for RoadPeace North West and a Trustee for the charity.
"Pauline worked tirelessly to support the victims and the families of those killed and seriously injured in road traffic collisions for almost 30 years.
"We consider it a fitting tribute on this, the last day of August, which was designated National Road Victim Month following the death of Princess Diana on 31st August 1997, and to commemorate the first death by a motor vehicle – Bridget Driscoll – in 1896.
"It is also the day on which Pauline annually organised a service at Liverpool Anglican Cathedral to remember all those who died and were seriously injured as a result of road traffic collisions."
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