Young Activist Fights for Safer Crossing Near School

A 12-year-old girl, Amalie Harris, has dedicated over two years to campaigning for a pedestrian crossing on a busy road outside her former primary school in Cheltenham, England. Her efforts are now nearing fruition as funding and community support have significantly increased.

Amalie first proposed the crossing near the junction of Church Road and Hall Road when she was just nine years old. Feeling “too scared” to cross the road alone, she decided to take action. Together with her father, Paul Harris, she launched a petition to garner support for the safety measure. Their efforts have included presentations to local councils and community outreach.

Through their campaign, Amalie and Paul have successfully secured a total of £68,000 from various local authorities, including Leckhampton Parish Council, Cheltenham Borough Council, and Gloucestershire County Council. However, with the total project cost amounting to £75,000, they are now seeking to raise the remaining £7,000 through a GoFundMe page.

So far, the community has rallied around the cause, contributing over £4,000, which leaves just £3,000 needed to complete the funding. Amalie, who now attends Leckhampton High School, expressed her pride in achieving this milestone. “I’m quite happy with how it’s all going so far; we’re nearly there now,” she stated.

Reflecting on the start of her journey, Amalie recalled, “When I was in Year 4, a letter was sent home to parents asking whether we could walk home by ourselves. But my parents felt it was too dangerous for me to cross Church Road alone.” This realization prompted her to initiate the petition for a crossing, enabling her to walk to school independently.

Amalie’s dedication did not go unnoticed; she received an award for her advocacy work as part of the school’s Agents of Change programme, designed to encourage students to engage with their community. “It was a big achievement for me; I was really happy,” she shared.

Paul Harris praised his daughter’s commitment, remarking, “It’s quite remarkable what she’s done. It goes to show what you can achieve if you set your mind to something and engage with the right people.” He emphasized the crossing’s importance, stating that it would benefit not only schoolchildren but the entire community, as Church Road has become increasingly busy.

The campaign has garnered cross-party support from local councils, which Paul noted has been crucial for its progress. “We’ve made amazing strides over the last couple of years. We’ve had incredible support from the parish council, borough council, and county council,” he said.

Councillor Martin Horwood, who serves on multiple local councils, commended Amalie as a “brilliant figurehead” for the initiative. “Amalie has been absolutely fantastic. She hasn’t just helped with the petition; she’s turned up to council meetings to present her case,” he explained, highlighting her role in uniting the community around this important issue.

Horwood underscored the urgency of the crossing, stating, “This road has got much busier over time, and we just need it to be absolutely safe. It’s feeling more and more dangerous.” Although there have been no significant accidents recorded, the goal is to implement safety measures before any incidents occur.

With just £3,000 left to raise, both Amalie and Paul are optimistic about reaching their goal. “We’ve raised over £4,000 so far, but the donations have started to slow now,” Paul noted. The family remains hopeful that additional contributions will come in to ensure the crossing becomes a reality.

To support this initiative and help secure the remaining funds, donations can be made through the GoFundMe page established by the Harris family. As Amalie continues her advocacy, her journey serves as an inspiring example of youth engagement in community safety efforts.